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The Effect of Nose Shape on the Drag of Bodies of Revolution at Zero Angle of AttackThe subject of this paper is the drag of the nose section of bodies of revolution at zero angle of attack. The magnitude of the nose drag in relation to the total drag is very distinctly a function of the body design and the Mach number. It can range from a very small fraction of the total drag of the order of 10 percent to a very large fraction as high as 80 percent. The natural objective of nose design is to minimize the drag, but this objective is not always the primary one. Sometimes other factors overshadow the desire for minimum drag. The most conspicuous example of this is the proposal of guidance engineers that large-diameter spheres and other very blunt shapes be used at the nose tip. This paper will attempt to discuss both phases of the problem, noses for minimum drag and noses with very blunt tips. The state of the theory will also be reviewed and recent theoretical developments described, since the theory still remains a very valuable tool for assaying the effects of compromises in design and departure from shapes for which experimental data are available.
Document ID
20030067331
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Seiff, Alvin (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Ames Aeronautical Lab. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Sandahl, Carl A. (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Langley Aeronautical Lab. Langley Field, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
November 9, 1951
Publication Information
Publication: Aerodynamic Characteristics of Bodies at Supersonic Speeds: A Collection of Three Papers
Subject Category
Aerodynamics
Meeting Information
Meeting: NACA Conference on Aerodynamic Design Problems of Supersonic Guided Missiles
Location: Moffett Field, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: October 2, 1951
End Date: October 3, 1951
Sponsors: National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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IDRelationTitle20030067330Collected WorksAerodynamic Characteristics of Bodies at Supersonic Speeds: A Collection of Three Papers
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