An analytical method for predicting lift and drag characteristics of flat-top wing-body combinations at supersonic speeds

An analysis was presented for predicting lift and drag characteristics of flat-top wing-body combinations at supersonic speeds. These combinations consist of a wing mounted above an expanding body with their apexes being coincident. The assumptions with which the analysis was made are the following: 1. The linear theory was applicable. 2. The leading edge or the wing was coincident or ahead of the body shock. 3. Condition of zero base drag (static pressure at the base equal to the stream static pressure). The analysis was carried out by considering the individual terms which appear in the lift-drag relations separately, and utilizing the most recent theoretical methods to determine them. The analysis was applied to two flat-top wing-body combinations; namely, a semiconical body with an arrow planform wing, and a 3/4 power semibody with a diamond planform wing. For these combinations a free-stream Mach number of 3.35 satisfied the condition for the wing leading edge and the body bow shock to be coincident. To obtain a check on the analysis, the results were compared with experimental data at a Mach number of 3.35.