The drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment, such as air or water. The coefficient of drag provides a measure of how effectively an object interacts with the air around it. An increase in the drag coefficient leads to higher aerodynamic drag, requiring more thrust, reducing fuel efficiency, potentially impacting performance, and necessitating design adjustments to mitigate its effects. The formula to calculate Drag coefficient as follows:
Where:
- is the drag coefficient,
- is the parasite drag coefficient,
- is the lift coefficient,
- is the Oswald efficiency factor,
- is the aspect ratio of the wings.