Missile grid fins analysis using computational fluid dynamics: A systematic review

Abstract

Grid Fins are unconventional control surfaces, consisting of cells in an outer frame. Uniqueness of Grid Fins is that they are aligned parallel to the direction of air flow. The orientation of these fins results in aerodynamic demerits such as choking of flow inside the cells and thereby resulting in increased drag forces. Both experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies have been employed in negating these effects. This paper reviews the work done by various authors to overcome the anomalies using CFD approach. This paper also discusses the measures to overcome these anomalies. The paper presents an insight and step by step guidelines for CFD simulations right from the pre-processing to the post-processing.