A physical model for the supersonic flight of a body in low temperature plasma is developed in this paper. It is shown that, at supersonic speeds, the effect of low temperature plasma is equivalent to that of heat deposition into the shock wave. An analytical solution for the shock wave structure is obtained. Effects of shock wave dissipation and increase in shock standoff distance are predicted. Results of ballistic experiments in plasma are satisfactorily explained on the basis of the proposed model. In addition, the efficiency of drag force reduction by low-temperature plasma at supersonic speeds is evaluated.