System and method for fluid manipulation

A system for reducing wave drag, the system comprising:

• a first fluid manipulation apparatus (“FMA”) configured to manipulate an interior fluid flow within a steamtube during a normal operating condition, and configured to change the speed and pressure of the interior fluid flow in a streamwise direction;
• a second FMA configured to manipulate the interior fluid flow downstream of the first FMA, and configured to change the speed and pressure of the interior fluid flow in a streamwise direction;
• a pressure containment apparatus (“PCA”) configured to act on the interior fluid flow downstream of at least a portion of the first FMA and upstream of at least a portion of the second FMA, and confugured to maintain a pressure difference between of the interior fluid flow and a free stream;
• and
• a third FMA configured to manipulate the interior fluid flow downstream of at least a portion the first FMA and upstream of a least a portion of the second FMA, and configured to deliver a net linear momentum into the far wake of the third FMA within the streamtube during the nominal operating condition, wherein the net linear momentum has a non-zero component perpendicular to the free stream flow velocity,
• wherein the free stream flow speed is greater than a wave speed within the free stream during the nominal operating condition, and wherein the fluid is compressible,
• the system being configured to manipulate the interior fluid flow to reduce the wave drag of the third FMA.