A numerical investigation of the aerodynamics of biconic and non-circular flared configurations
Two families of biconic flares and three noncircular flares were studied at Mach numbers from 2 to 4 using a parabolized Navier-Stokes code. All configurations had cone-cyclinder forebodies. The biconic flares were examined to determine if drag could be reduced without significant loss of stability. Only slight drag reduction was found; however, meaningful volume increases were possible with negligible drag penalty. Significant decreases in drag were obtained with the noncircular flares. These configurations maintain considerable pitch stability but sacrifice nearly all yaw stability. The latter can be corrected with fold-out fins that could be readily accommodated on the noncircular flares.