Computational Study of Hypersonic Vehicle Configuration HVC-7.5

Abstract

A hypersonic vehicle configuration, HVC-7.5, inspired by the Chinese NX-1 model as proposed by Sun Shu et al. and Zhang Hongying, is analyzed for sustained flight at speeds exceeding Mach 5+. The study addresses critical aerodynamic, structural, and propulsion-related challenges necessary for sustained hypersonic flight. A waverider-based configuration is analyzed to exploit shock-induced compression lift. Performance parameters such as lift, drag, and pressure distribution are examined using aerodynamic coefficients, atmospheric assumptions, and flight condition analyses. The results provide crucial insights into boundary layer separation, flow discontinuities, and their influence on vehicle stability and control. The performance analysis highlights an endurance of 4.5 min over a range of 209 km. Material assessment evaluates the mechanical properties of the current trends in hypersonic materials. By integrating these multi-domain analyses, the study demonstrates the feasibility of achieving optimized aerodynamic efficiency and structural robustness for hypersonic vehicles. This work contributes to design advancements for high-performance configurations, offering pathways for future hypersonic vehicle development.