Effects of Mach number and afterbody length on aerodynamic side forces at zero sideslip on symmetric bodies at high angles of attack

Wind-tunnel measurements of side force over the Mach number range of 0.25 to 2 for pointed forebody-alone and for ogive-cylinder models of various fineness ratios up to 16, are presented. The angle of attack where side force first occurs (onset), where it returns to zero (upper limit), and its magnitude are examined. The onset angle depends only on body geometry, longer bodies having lower onset angles. The upper limit, which is about 80 deg at M = 0.25, decreases with Mach number. The maximum side forces decrease with increasing Mach number, approaching zero within the Mach number range of 0.8 to 1.2; within this range, the Mach number at which the forces approach zero varies directly with forebody slenderness.