Aerodynamic Design, Characterization, and Flight Capability Prediction of the Small-scale Supersonic Flight Experiment Vehicle "Oowashi"

Innovation in technologies for high-speed atmospheric flights is essential for establishment of both supersonic/hypersonic and reusable space transportations. It is quite effective to verify such technologies through small-scale flight tests in practical high-speed environments, prior to installation to large-scale vehicles. Thus we are developing a small-scale supersonic flight experiment vehicle as a flying test bed. Two generations of aerodynamic configuration with a cranked-arrow main wing are proposed. Their aerodynamics are analyzed intensively through wind tunnel tests and are found to be favorable. On the basis of the aerodynamic characterization and propulsion design analysis, it is predicted that some thrust enhancement and/or drag reduction in the transonic regime are required for realization of supersonic flights up to Mach 2. For this end, aerodynamic configuration modification based on the area rule is being applied. Prior to the construction of the supersonic vehicles, a full scale prototype vehicle and subscale vehicles are designed and fabricated in order to verify the subsonic flying characteristics through flight tests. Preliminary flight tests of the 1st-generation prototype vehicle are carried out and good flight capability in subsonic regime is demonstrated. In addition, a subscale vehicle is being fabricated in house for cost-effective and repeated preliminary flight tests.