Shockwave boundary layer interactions (SBLI) occur on both internal and external surfaces and adversely affect both the structural and propulsive performance of high-speed flight vehicles operating in the trans/super/hypersonic flow regimes. In the absence of a comprehensive understanding of the flow physics associated with SBLI, the most common approach to mitigating the negative ramifications is structural over-design, often resulting in reduced aero-propulsion efficiencies and excessive cost. The current experimental investigation explored the viscous/inviscid interaction of an incoming supersonic turbulent boundary layer and a single, sharp unswept fin generated shockwave. This kind of SBLI is of keen interest to the high-speed aerodynamics community as the separated flow induces a strong crossflow component, giving rise to a highly 3-D flowfield.
