Aerodynamic Interference on Finned Slender Body

Aerodynamic interference can occur between high-speed slender bodies when in close proximity. A complex flowfield develops where shock and expansion waves from a generator body impinge upon the adjacent receiver body and modify its aerodynamic characteristics in comparison to the isolated case. The aim of this research is to quantify and understand the multibody interference effects that arise between a finned slender body and a second disturbance generator body. A parametric wind tunnel study was performed in which the effects of the receiver incidence and axial stagger were considered. Computational fluid dynamic simulations showed good agreement with the measurements, and these were used in the interpretation of the experimental results. The overall interference loads for a given multibody configuration were found to be a complex function of the pressure footprints from the compression and expansion waves emanating from the generator body as well as the flow pitch induced by the generator shockwave. These induced interference loads change sign as the shock impingement location moves aft over the receiver and in some cases cause the receiver body to become statically unstable. Overall, the observed interference effects can modify the subsequent body trajectories and may increase the likelihood of a collision.