Aerodynamic Drag Components

 Drag is the force experienced by an object representing the resistance to its movement through a fluid. Sometimes called wind resistance or fluid resistance, it acts in the opposite direction to the relative motion between the object and the fluid. The example opposite shows the aerodynamic drag forces experienced by an aerofoil or aircraft wing moving through the air with constant angle of attack as the air speed is increased..

The Total Aerodynamic Drag is the sum of the following components:

·         Induced Drag - Due to the vortices and turbulence resulting from the turning of the air flow and the downwash associated with the generation of lift. Increases with the angle of attack. Inversely proportional to the square of the air speed. Decreases as aircraft speed increases and the angle of attack is reduced. Induced drag associated with the high angle of attack needed to maintain the lift is dominant at low air speeds.

·         Form Drag or Pressure Drag - Due to the size and shape of the aerofoil. Increases with the square of air speed. Streamlined shapes designed to reduce form drag.

·         Friction Drag - Arises from the friction of the air against the "skin" of the aerofoil moving through it. Increases with the surface area of the aerofoil and the square of air speed.

·         Profile Drag or Viscous Drag- The sum of Friction Drag and the Form Drag.

·         Parasitic Drag or Interference Drag - Incurred by the non-liftting parts of the aircraft such as the wheels, fuselage, tail fins, engines, handles and rivets. Increases with the square of air speed. Parasitic drag becomes dominant at higher air speeds.

·         Wave Drag - Due to the presence of shock waves occurring on the blade tips of aircraft and projectiles. Associated with passing the sound barrier it is a sudden and dramatic increase in drag which only comes into play as the vehicle increases speed through transonic and supersonic speeds. Independent of viscous effects.