Fluid Mechanics & Aerodynamics

Fluid Mechanics & Aerodynamics

Experimental investigation of the effect of side jet injection on drag reduction of a spherical blunt nose with spike in supersonic flow

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Imam Hossein University
2 Aerospac faculty, Imam Hossein University
3 imam Hussein (ع)
Abstract
The use of spike and jet injection as a suitable tool for reducing aerodynamic drag has been the focus of experts for several decades, and much research has been conducted in the fields of geometry, dimensions, spike type, and jet injection. In this study, an experimental study was conducted in the supersonic wind tunnel of the Qadr Aerodynamics Research Center on a hemispherical blunt nose with spike and side jet injection to investigate the reduction in nose wave drag. The experiments were conducted at angles of attack of -2, 0 and 2 degrees at Mach number 1.9 and side jet injection at two positions. The measurements included Schlieren imaging, pressure distribution measurements on the upper and lower surfaces of the blunt nose and the forces acting on it. The results indicate the favorable effect of side jet injection in attenuating the bow wave in front of the spike, reducing drag, and reducing pressure on the blunt nose with side jet injection, especially at the position close to the spike tip. Also, with increasing jet pressure, increased jet penetration and swirl flow caused a change in the pattern and further weakening of the conical wave, resulting in a further reduction in drag. At non-zero angles, the side jet was very effective and weakened or even eliminated the attachment wave on the blunt nose, ultimately reducing the drag force of the beveled nose with the spike by a maximum of 31%.
Keywords

Volume 14, Issue 2 - Serial Number 36
Autumn and Winter
February 2026

  • Receive Date 18 December 2025
  • Revise Date 28 January 2026
  • Accept Date 15 February 2026
  • Publish Date 20 February 2026