Taking Notes

  • Shock waves in supersonic flow create a new source of drag called wave drag.
  • To minimize the strength of the shock wave, all supersonic airfoil profiles are thin, with respect relatively sharp leading edges.
  • Total drag = Skin friction drag + Pressure drag (due to flow separation) + wave drag (only for transonic and supersonic speeds)
  • Skin friction drag + Pressure drag called Profile Drag