A Review of the Optimization of Aerospike Nose Cones in the Hypersonic Regime

– Aerodynamics plays a significant role in missile design and performance, especially in terms of the features and form of the nose cone. Even though they work well, traditional blunt-nosed designs frequently have issues with thermal and aerodynamic drag during high-speed flight. This review examines the creative incorporation of aerospike technology into missile nose cones, offering a solution for resolving these issues and enhancing missile performance. An annular, spike-like device is incorporated at the front of the missile in the nose cone aerospike idea, intended to control airflow, reduce temperature, and lower aerodynamic drag. This review emphasizes the use of data gathered from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and wind tunnel testing to evaluate the performance improvements achieved via different nose cone aerospike designs. The findings of these investigations show how aerospike-equipped nose cones may efficiently control and shape airflow, reducing the negative impacts of shock waves and improving overall flight characteristics.