Optimization of artillery projectiles base drag reduction using hot base flow

Abstract

The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the base drag characteristics of a projectile with base bleed unit with a central jet. Different base bleed grain types with differnet combustion temperatures were used. The goal was to find a way to effectively control the base flow for base drag reduction and optimisate the latter using an adequate (CFD) software. Axisymmetric, compressible, mass-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are solved using the k-ω SST, transition k-kl-ω and RSM turbulence models. The various base flow characteristics are obtained by the change in the non-dimensionalized injection impulse. The results obtained through the present study show that there is an optimum bleed condition for all base bleed grains tested. That optimum is dependent on the temperature of the grain combustion products. The optimum reduces the total drag for 6,9% in the case of air injection at tempreture of 300K and reaches up to 28% in the case of propellant combustion products injection at almost 2500K. Besides, the increasing of molecular wight has a role no less important than temperature of the combustion products in terms of base drag reduction.