A survey of drag and heat reduction in supersonic flows by a counterflowing jet and its combinations

Drag reduction and thermal protection is very important for hypersonic vehicles, and a counterflowing jet and its combinations is one of the most promising drag and heat release reduction strategies. In the current survey, research progress on the drag and heat release reduction induced by a counterflowing jet and its combinations is summarized. Three combinatorial configurations are considered, namely the combination of the counterflowing jet and a forward-facing cavity, the combination of the counterflowing jet and an aerospike, and the combination of the counterflowing jet and energy deposition. In conclusion, some recommendations are provided, especially for jet instability protection, for the tradeoff between drag and heat release reductions, and for the critical points for the operational and geometric parameters in the flow mode transition.