Supersonic, low drag tubular projectile

An elongate tubular projectile having a longitudinal center axis, consisting of:

• a cylindrical center throat portion having a wall thickness defined by concentric inner and outer spaced-apart surfaces,
• a forward compression section adjoining said throat portion and formed by two converging conical surfaces intersecting each other to form a sharp leading edge and enclosing a V-shaped leading edge angle, the bisector of which in the longitudinal cross-section is substantially parallel to said longitudinal center axis, and
• an aft diffusion section adjoining said throat portion and formed by two converging conical surfaces forming a V-shaped trailing edge, said aft diffusion section having a smooth constant expansion angle and a smooth transition from said adjoining throat portion to said trailing edge,
• said throat portion having constant diameter throughout the length of said inner surface,
• said sharp leading edge defines a circular inlet having a predetermined first cross-sectional area for inlet airflow,
• said throat portion diameter defines a constant second cross-sectional area for airflow through said throat portion and
• the ratio of said second area to said first area is not less than 0.6.