Waverider Design Given Leading Edge from Axisymmetric Flow

Drawing on the cone-derived method, this study established a waverider design approach with a given leading edge from axisymmetric flows. This approach takes the given leading edge as input to generate a rotated shock surface and a corresponding two-dimensional shock profile. Then, an axisymmetric flow behind the shock profile is simulated using the inverse method of characteristics (iMoC). Accordingly, the waveriders with the given leading edge are generated, wherein streamline-tracing efficiency is improved through quadtree partitioning. Taking a leading edge with wing dihedral expressed by a B-spline as the baseline, the waveriders were generated, and the effect of the rotational axes was analyzed. Results show that the leading edge of a waverider can be solely determined by the shock profile of an axisymmetric flow. Waveriders designed using axisymmetric flows exhibit high [Formula: see text] ratios at hypersonic speeds, demonstrating excellent waveriding performance. The axisymmetric flows with different rotational axes made the waveriders with different thicknesses, showing a strong correlation between the [Formula: see text] ratio and the volume ratio. When the offset distance of the rotational axis increased, the longitudinal stability of the corresponding waveriders decreased. While the waverider with the given leading edge improves its design flexibility, current deficiencies of the iMoC and axisymmetric flow properties impose limitations onvolume expansion and precise control of leading edges.