Overview on aerodynamic design of cruising waverider configuration for hypersonic vehicles

Benefited from the higher lift-to-drag coefficient and more massive inflow capture than normal lifting body, the airbreathing waverider configuration ruising near space is always one of the focused issues in aerodynamic researches for hypersonic vehicles. With an overview of the airbreathing hypersonic vehicles and the waverider, the development of scramjet engine and the hypersonic projects of several industry powers are introduced. Morever, the design method for waverider is stated in details. The design methods of waverider are classified into four categories:design methods of generating flowfield, calculating methods of generating flowfield, spanwise design methods of the waverider, and application of waverider to hypersonic vehicles. The theories, advantages and disadvantages of different methods in each category are introduced and analyzed. Since the waverider has excellent aerodynamic characteristics, it is a major candidate for hypersonic vehicles. With the development of materials, propulsion and control, waverider hypersonic vehicles will come into reality soon and play an important role in the aerospace industry.