Effect of longitudinal riblets on axisymmetric body drag

The results of comparative gravimetric measurements of the total drag on an axisymmetric body with a smooth and ribbed cylindrical surface are described. The experiments were carried out in a closed wind tunnel at initial tunnel circuit pressures equal to 0.5 and 1 absolute atmosphere with artificially generated model boundary layer turbulence. The free-stream Mach number was varied on the range from 0.15 to 0.85, the Reynolds number Re, calculated from the model length, on the range 4·10⁶–30·10⁶, and the angle of attacka on the range from 0 to 12°. The maximum total drag advantage obtained with the ribbed model was 8%. A significant fraction of the drag reduction achieved may be associated with the effect of the ribbing on the drag created by the smooth tail of the body.