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AE 164
Drag Divergence
Mcr = Critical Mach number.
The freestream Mach number
where sonic flow is first obtained
at some point on the surface of a
body.
MDD = Drag-divergence Mach
number. The freestream Mach
number where the drag
coefficient begins to rise
dramatically.
Drag Divergence
Some people used to
believe the speed of sound
could not be exceeded
because it appeared that
drag would increase to
infinity at the speed of
sound, hence the term
sound barrier.
Airliners fly at the dragdivergence Mach number
for fuel economy reasons.
http://www.dept.aoe.vt.edu/~devenpor/aoe3114/16%20-%20Airfoil%20Analysis.pdf
Thickness
Bell X-1
Wing airfoil thickness = 8%
Tail airfoil thickness = 6%
Tail airfoil delayed center of pressure shift due to shocks,
providing more control up to higher Mach numbers.
Supercritical Airfoil
Supercritical Airfoil
As far as I am aware, all
aircraft have a maximum
CD at Mach 1, and CD
decreases after Mach 1.
Area Rule
The area rule for Mach 1: The cross-sectional area distribution should be as
smooth as possible along the longitudinal axis of the body.
Area Rule
Sears-Hack Body
The Sears-Hack body has the ideal
area distribution for Mach 1
Area Rule
F-102
F-102A
Area Rule
X-3 Stiletto
X-3 Stiletto
X-3 Stiletto
Oblique Wing
Oblique Wing
Oblique Wing
F-104
Swept Wing
Swept Wing
Mnormal = M cos LE
Swept Wing
LE
Swept Wing
Swept Wing
Swept Wing
Swept Wing
Compression Lift
Compression lift uses
the shocks produced
by the body to
enhance lift.
B-70 Valkyrie
B-70 Inlet
B-70 Nose
B-70 Inlet
B-70 Valkyrie
Summary
Can reduce wave drag by:
Thinner Airfoil
Sharp Leading Edge
Supercritical Airfoil (0.75 < M < 0.95)
Area Ruling Entire Airplane
Sweep Wing Leading Edge
Combinations of the above
Compression lift (if high Mach > 3)