Evaluation of Drag Force for Selected .223 Rem Projectiles Across Different Flight Regimes

This paper presents a study in the field of external ballistics focusing on the drag force of selected .223 rem projectiles. The drag force characteristics of projectiles with different geometric features were compared, including variations in projectile slenderness, ogive shape, boat-tail geometry, and projectile base design. The research combined theoretical analysis, experimental measurements, and CFD simulations. An initial assessment was performed to evaluate the influence of individual projectile geometry features on drag force across different flight regimes, namely the subsonic, transonic, and supersonic regions. These regimes exhibit fundamentally different aerodynamic characteristics, particularly due to the formation and evolution of shock waves, resulting in varying contributions of individual geometric features to the overall drag force. The results presented in this paper provide a foundation for future research. Subsequent studies will systematically investigate the influence of individual projectile geometry features on drag force in each flight regime, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of their aerodynamic significance.