In order to study the aerodynamic characteristics of a high speed rotating projectile, the aerodynamic characteristics of a small caliber rotating projectile were studied. The 3D model of the 5.8mm small caliber projectile is built by UG, and the Fluent software is used to mesh the projectile. The aerodynamic characteristics of the rotating projectile are simulated numerically. The flow field around the surface of the rotating projectile under different Mach numbers is studied comparatively. The variations of aerodynamic characteristics of high speed rotating projectiles at different attack angles and Mach numbers are analyzed systematically. The results of this study have certain reference value for aerodynamic design of high speed rotating projectile.