Numerical analysis of the influence of the nose shape on the flight stability of the underwater projectile

Abstract

The numerical analysis on the flight stability of the underwater projectiles are performed using computational fluid dynamics code which consists of gas/liquid phases analysis, 2D calculation method. The nose shape effect on the underwater flight stability is conducted. The ogival nose, the flat nose and the spike nose are used for the nose shapes. The static stability is determined by the direction of pressure on the projectile. The pressure on the flat nose makes projectile stable, although pressure on the ogival nose and the horizontal area of flat nose makes projectile unstable. The spike nose is statically unstable, however it is possible to increase the flight stability by changing the spike radius and the spike length. When the part of projectile gets out of the bubble and contacts with water, the water pressure acts as restoring force, which lead to improve the flight stability. This phenomenon is called ‘Tail slapping effect’. Tail slapping effect works most effectively when only backward of the center of gravity of the projectile contacts with water. The Effects is canceled as the angle of attack increases and the front of the projectile contacts with water. As a result, the improvement of stability due to the tail slapping effect is limited.

Keywords

• cfd
• gas/liquid two phase flow
• supercavitation
• underwater projectiles
• flight stability