Non-Slender Missile Geometries of Minimum Ballistic Factor via Calculus of Variations

Abstract

The problem of determining the geometry of non-slender axisymmetric missile of minimum ballistic factor in hypersonic flow has been solved via calculus of variation under the assumption that the flow is Newtonian and the surface averaged skin friction coefficient is constant. The study has been made for conditions of given diameter and surface area. The results obtained have been compared with those obtained by the method of gradient technique.