Analytical solution in the problem of constructing axisymmetric noses with minimum wave drag

An analytical procedure for determining the axisymmetric nose shapes that ensure minimum wave drag is developed. The solution is constructed as an improving variation on the conical shape. The target function is built up in an approximate form on the basis of the assumption that the relationship between the geometric and gasdynamic parameters is local in nature. It is shown that the optimal bodies are truncated power-law bodies with an exponent equal to 2/3. The bodies thus obtained are compared with those constructed in accordance with an exact formulation of the problem.