Missile Grid Fins Analysis using Computational Fluid Dynamics: A Systematic Review

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

Comparison of Flow field in the proximity of A Single Planar & Wrap-around Fin

Abstract This paper analyses the results of the computational analysis between a single planar and a wrap-around fin mounted on a semi-cylindrical body. A free-stream Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was simulated for both cases in the Mach 0.4-3.0M range at 0°Angle of attack, in which, the behavior of flow around the fin was investigated using a turbulence model of higher order discretization. The post-processing shows all the possible views of the flow dynamics around the fins, as well as the missile body. The aerodynamic drag and the rolling moment characteristics of the planar and the wrap-around fin have been compared and adequate validation has been performed for the current missile model. This work forms a preliminary step in turbulence modelling and comparing the flow aerodynamics around both fin geometries