Angle of Attack Effects on Boundary Layer Transition over a Flared Cone–Swept Fin Configuration

In our previous study, the transition behavior of a flared cone–swept fin configuration was investigated under an angle of attack (AoA) of 0°. To further explore the role of AoA in complex three-dimensional geometries with strong fin–body interactions, wind tunnel experiments were conducted at Ma = 9.3, Re = 1.36 × 107/m, with AoA ranging from −6° to 6°. Global surface temperature distributions were obtained using temperature-sensitive paint (TSP), while localized heat flux and pressure fluctuations were captured using thin-film thermocouples and high-frequency pressure sensors. The results show that varying AoA shifts the location of high heat flux between the upper and lower surfaces of the flared cone and induces a switch from streamwise to separation vortices. The windward side exhibits stronger disturbance responses than the leeward side. The junction region between the flared cone and the near-horizontal surface is highly sensitive to AoA variations, consistently exhibiting pronounced second-mode instabilities. These findings provide experimental support for understanding transition mechanisms under the combined effects of shock/boundary layer interaction (SBLI), crossflow, and adverse pressure gradients, with implications for transition prediction and thermal protection system design.