Design and Aerodynamic Analysis of a Wide Speed Waverider

Aerodynamic characteristics of a waverider may be worsen under off-design conditions, especially lift is seriously insufficient at a low speed. It was proposed to improve the low-speed aerodynamic performance of waverider by increasing sweepback angle to generate leading edge vortex so as to increase the lift of leeward surface. Firstly, through CATIA software secondary development technology with the use of Visual Basic programming language, parametric design and automa-tic generation of cone-derived waverider were realized. Secondly, large sweepback waverider configuration was obtained by controlling two design parameters, namely, cone angle and flow field length. Finally, through calculating the aerodynamic characteristics via SST model and analyzing changes of flow field, it was found that shock waves can be well attached to the leading edge under the design condition. Moreover, compared with the design state, the waverider could reach a higher lift-drag ratio with a small positive angle of attack (AoA), which could satisfy cruising requirements. The variation regularity of lift, drag and lift-drag ratio under different AoAs were found by calculating the low velocity aerodynamic characteristics of the waveriders with k-ω model. Result shows that the waverider produces obvious vortex structures at a low velocity, and it can also generate considerable additional lift under an appropriate AoA, which enhances the performance of horizontal takeoff and landing.