Conformal aero-adaptive nozzle/aftbody

A flow control system surface operable to suppress flow field separation and vortices within an aft body flow field over an aft body region, wherein the flow control system surface comprises:

• at least one array of flow control device located substantially upstream of fluid flow over the aft body region surface wherein the at least one array is operable to introduce secondary flows in the near wall boundary layer, wherein the secondary flows effect an inception location and trajectory of flow field vortical structure over the aft body region;
• and
• a controller operably coupled to the at least one array of flow control devices, wherein the controller system is operable to direct the at least one array of flow control device to introduce secondary flows in order to achieve a desired fluid flow over the aft body region surface.

The flow control system surface of claim 24, wherein the flow control device comprises micro-fabricated mechanical structures.

An aft body aerodynamic control surface operable to manipulate flow field vortices over the aerodynamic control surface, wherein the aerodynamic control surface comprises:

• at least one array of micro-jets located substantially upstream of fluid flow over the aerodynamic surface operable to introduce secondary flows in the near wall boundary layer, wherein the secondary flows reduce flow field separation over the aft body aerodynamic control surface;
• and
• a control system operably coupled to the at least one array of micro-jets, wherein the control system is operable to direct the at least one array of micro-jets to introduce secondary flows in order to achieve a desired flow field over the aft body aerodynamic control surface.