Measurements of pressure distributions and pressure drags at zero incidence on both blunt and sharp axisymmetric forebodies

Abstract

A collection of surface pressure distributions measured on a number of axisymmetric forebodies at zero incidence and a Mach number of 3 is presented. Integrated pressure drags are compared with the theoretical drags of sharp cones having the same forebody fineness ratios, showing that significant drag reductions can be achieved at this Mach number by the suitable use of nose blunting, leading also to an increase of usable volume in the forebody. Comparisons are also made with published data for determining the pressure drag of spherically blunted cones.