21st Congress of International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, Melbourne, Australia, 13-18 September, 1998
Paper ICAS-98-3.6.3

AERODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MISSILES WITH TRIANGULAR CROSS SECTIONS

Agrell J., Hamner O., Jonsson B.*
The Aeronautical Research Institute, Sweden; *DMA, Sweden

Keywords: aerodynamic characteristics, missiles, triangular cross sections

An experimental investigation of schematic wingless missiles, with triangular body cross-sections and triform tail fins has been done. Sub-and supersonic aerodynamic characteristics are evaluated at angles of attack up to 23°. Comparisons are made with corresponding conventional designs (i.e. cruciform with circular section). It is found that the triangular body configuration has superior aerodynamic performance, but is not suited for skid-to-turn maneuvering. An essential rounding of the triangle comers leads to a loss of this superiority, but results in a configuration somewhat more suitable for skid-to-turn. The triangular configurations have high roll stability when facing the wind with a flat body surface. This roll position also provides the highest lift-to drag ratio. No significant lateral disturbances at symmetrical onflow are found.

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