Dynamic aberration analysis and correction methods of conformal windows based on cone-derived waveriders

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Optical Engineering
• Hypersonic Flight Dynamics

Background:

• Hypersonic airborne imaging requires integrated design of vehicles and conformal optical systems.
• Waverider configurations offer excellent aerodynamic performance for hypersonic platforms.
• Existing conformal optics theories are not systematically studied for waveriders, limiting direct application of airborne findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically study conformal optics for a typical cone-derived waverider.
• To establish an analysis framework linking flow field, streamline, window shape, and dynamic aberrations.
• To reveal dynamic aberration characteristics and identify optimization directions for optical correction.

Main Methods:

• Developed a comprehensive analysis framework based on waverider design principles.
• Investigated the relationship between geometric design parameters and dynamic aberrations.
• Analyzed dynamic aberration characteristics under typical flight conditions.
• Evaluated the impact of fine-tuning the length-to-width ratio on aberrations and aerodynamic performance.

Main Results:

• Dynamic aberration characteristics of cone-derived waverider windows were revealed.
• Geometric design parameters of the leading edge were directly linked to dynamic aberrations.
• Fine-tuning the length-to-width ratio reduced dynamic aberrations by up to 51.76%.
• Spot convergence improved by 41.93% with optimized window design.

Conclusions:

• Integrated aerodynamic-optical design is critical for hypersonic waverider vehicles.
• The study provides theoretical support and design guidance for conformal optical systems on waveriders.
• Optimizing window geometry effectively mitigates dynamic aberrations, simplifying optical system design.