Aerodynamic Design of an Aircraft-Mounted Pod for Improved Aero-Optic Performance

Abstract

A new approach for the shaping of pods and fairings for optical systems is presented in which the objective of the approach is to prevent or mitigate aero-optic effects. Basic streamlined shapes are developed which prevent supersonic flow and shock formation around the optical aperture. Furthermore, an innovative design for the shaping of cutouts that extend the maximum aft lookback angle of the optical system is described. The design approach is supported by computational fluid dynamic analyses, and the design of planned wind-tunnel tests is presented.