The shapes of bodies with maximum lift-to-drag ratio in supersonic flow

Assuming that the pressure coefficient on the body surface is defined by the angle between the local normal to it and the velocity vector of the undisturbed flow, the problem of the shape of a body which possesses the maximum lift-to-drag ratio is solved. When the bottom section area and the constant coefficient of friction are given, the optimal body has a plane windward surface positioned at the angle of attack to the undisturbed flow. The leeward surface of the optimal body is parallel to the velocity vector of the undisturbed flow. The absolutely optimal body is a two-dimensional wedge. When additional constraints on the external dimensions of the body are specified, solutions of variational problems are obtained on the basis of which bodies which have the maximum lift-to-drag ratio in supersonic flow are designed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.