Surface Texture Modifications and Nose Cone Geometries: A Review of Aerodynamic Enhancements

Abstract

In the pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency and structural optimization in aerospace engineering, nose cone design plays a crucial role in determining the performance of various flight vehicles. This systematic review delves into the advancements in nose cone aerodynamics—not only as a means to enhance stability and efficiency but also as a key factor in technological progress across space exploration, defence applications, and commercial aviation. We expand upon this by incorporating insights from recent landmark studies, which highlight the multidimensional impact of nose cone designs.

Introduction

This systematic review explores the critical role of nose cone design in aerospace engineering for optimizing aerodynamic efficiency, structural integrity, and thermal management across various flight regimes—from subsonic aircraft to hypersonic missiles and re-entry vehicles. It highlights recent advancements in computational simulations, experimental studies, and bio-inspired innovations aimed at reducing drag, enhancing stability, and managing aerodynamic heating.

Key studies discussed include analyses of different nose cone shapes—conical, blunted, ogive, and elliptical—each with unique aerodynamic and thermal properties suited to specific flight conditions:

• Conical nose cones are simple, easy to manufacture, and effective at subsonic speeds but less efficient at high speeds due to increased drag and pressure waves.

• Blunted nose cones perform better in hypersonic and re-entry scenarios by reducing heat transfer through detached shock waves, though they increase drag at low speeds.

• Ogive nose cones offer superior drag reduction and thermal management at supersonic and hypersonic speeds, making them ideal for missiles and high-speed aircraft.

• Elliptical nose cones minimize drag and enhance stability at low speeds but are less suitable for high-speed flight due to increased wave drag.

The review underscores the importance of integrating aerodynamic principles, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and surface modifications to advance nose cone performance. Overall, optimizing nose cone design is essential for improving flight efficiency, stability, and thermal protection in modern aerospace applications.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Rinchu P., Anjana K. Ashokan , Aswathy T. G., Jasmine George, Srilakshmi V. V.. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.