Flow management techniques for base and afterbody drag reduction

Abstract The problem of turbulent base flows and the drag associated with it have been of significant interest in missile as well as fighter aircraft design. Numerous studies in the literature have been devoted to aspects of reducing base drag on two-dimensional as well as on axisymmetric bodies. This paper presents a review of the developments that have taken place on the use of passive techniques or devices for axisymmetric base and net afterbody drag reduction in the absence of jet flow at the base. In particular, the paper discusses the effectiveness of base cavities, ventilated cavities, locked vortex afterbodies, multi-step afterbodies and afterbodies employing a non-axisymmetric boat-tailing concept for base and net drag reduction in different speed regimes. The broad features of the flow and the likely fluid-dynamical mechanisms associated with the device leading to base drag reduction are highlighted. Flight-test results assessing the effectiveness of some of the devices are compared with data from wind tunnels. The present survey indicates that base and net afterbody drag reduction of considerable engineering significance in aerospace applications can be achieved by various passive devices even when the (unmanipulated) base flow is not characterised by vortex shedding.