The “drag per unit span” () for a flat plate in supersonic flow refers to the aerodynamic force parallel to the direction of the incoming flow, acting on a unit span length of the flat plate. In the context of a flat plate in supersonic flow, drag is generated due to the pressure difference between the front and back of the plate, similar to how drag is generated in subsonic flows.
- Pressure on the bottom surface (p3) in N/m^2
- Pressure on the top surface (p2) in N/m^2
- Flat plate of length (c) in m
- Angle of attack (𝛼) in rad
- Drag per unit span (D’) in N/m