Internal flow characteristics of a rectangular ramjet air intake

Two research institutes TNO Defence, Security and Safety and DRDC-Valcartier have worked together on the improvement of modeling and simulation tools for the functioning of supersonic air intakes for realistic ramjet engines of tactical missiles. The emphasis laid on complex rectangular intake designs making use of an internal bleed system and on incorporating the functioning of air intakes at off-design conditions (below and above the design Mach number and at angle-of-attack with respect to the freestream velocity). In order to generate air intake performance data validated CFD-strategies were pursued. Two-and three dimensional CFD studies were performed and in order to validate the numerical results, a wind tunnel test campaign was conducted. The understanding of ramjet air intakes was greatly enhanced over the years and validated numerical approaches were successfully obtained. Furthermore insight in the influence on the availability of accurate intake performance data on ramjet engine and missile performance levels was gained. © 2009 by TNO Defence, Security and Safety