Extraction of Induced and Wave Drag from CFD Solutions

Accurately predicting profile, induced, and wave drag are essential in modern aerospace design as the demand for high-performance, fuel-efficient aircraft grows. In transonic flow, wave drag is traditionally calculated using far-field integration methods. However, this approach is less effective than classical methods, as it is limited by grid accuracy and struggles to capture complex flow interactions. In contrast, Partial-Pressure Field theory offers a novel approach to decomposing drag by analyzing partial-pressure distributions over lifting bodies in the near-field. This work validates existing applications of Partial-Pressure Fields and further extends the theory, integrating modern computational fluid dynamics with lifting-line theory to predict wave drag sources directly in the near-field. A comparison is made between near-field results and traditional far-field drag decomposition methods, enabling more accurate wave drag extraction from computational solutions and providing a deeper understanding of drag buildup for aerodynamic design.