Computation of nonlinear supersonic potential flow over three-dimensional surfaces

A fully implicit three dimensional marching technique is presented for the computation of inviscid supersonic flows. The nonconservative full potential equation is solved on spherical cross flow planes using standard transonic SLOR techniques. The three dimensional bow shock is fitted as a boundary with isentropic jump conditions and embedded shocks are captured. Applications of these techniques are presented for three dimensional bodies, wings, and wing-body configurations and the computed solutions are compared to experimental pressure data. Zero lift wave drag calculations are also presented and compared with measurements to evaluate the accuracy of the present techniques.