An experimental study of the water entry trajectories of truncated cone projectiles: The influence of nose parameters

We report on an experimental study of the trajectories of truncated cone projectiles on water entry. The water entry trajectory stability is of great significance to the motion control of projectile. In this paper, the truncated cone nose shape can be described by the area of the leading plane and the cone angle α. Two high-speed cameras are used to capture the trajectories of the projectiles and the initial stage of cavity dynamics. We reveal that the trajectory stability of a projectile is highly dependent on the wetted surface of the nose, which is determined by the location of the separation line between the surfaces of the cavity and body. The increase in the leading plane area is beneficial to the formation of a stable trajectory, in which only the leading plane is wetted. In an unstable trajectory case, the large hydrodynamic moment from the wetted surface on the side of the nose causes a significant rotation of the projectile. However, for the projectile with the cone angle α ≳ 60 °, though the side of the nose is fully wetted, the trajectory of the projectile turns into stable again. Results show that the attitude deflection of the projectile is determined by the cone angle of the nose. It is also found that the attitude deflection results in an irregular cavity, which further aggravates the rotation of the projectile. We quantify the relationship between the trajectory stability and two nose parameters systematically, and a phase diagram is obtained for a large parameter space. The findings in this work can be used as a reference for future designs to ensure stable trajectories on water entry.