Design of High L/D-Vehicles Based on Hypersonic Waveriders

The aerodynamic behaviour of a waverider representing the hypersonic lower stage of a TSTO system is discussed. The investigation covers the complete speed range from subsonic high lift up to hypersonic flight close to the design point of the waverider geometries. Several interesting flow phenomena are described which govern the aerodynamic behaviour. It is found that the favourable off-design behaviour of hypersonic waveriders allows the practical use of waverider vehicles far away from their particular design flow conditions. Studies concerning the planform show, that the modification of a gothic planform towards combined forebody - delta wing planforms allows a significant improvement of the aerodynamic efficiency L/D in sub- and transonic flow. In addition the longitudinal stability is increased without compromising the favourable high speed qualities. These benefits are partly compensated by an increasing neutral point shift