SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “MISSILE CONFIGURATION”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 271 records · Page 15

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1954

Summary of Free-flight Performance of a Series of Ram-jet Engines at Mach Numbers from 0.80 to 2.20

Data obtained from the NACA air-launched ram-jet program are summarized with emphasis placed upon the transonic propulsive thrust potential of the engines. Data are presented for boosted and non-boosted engine configurations which incorporate a single-oblique-shock or double-oblique-shock diffuser designed for critical inlet operation at flight Mach numbers of 1.8 and 2.4, respectively. The engines are evaluated in terms of flight Mach number, mass-flow ratio, diffuser pressure recovery, combustion-chamber heat release, propulsive thrust, external drag, and specific impulse. From specific impulse considerations, it appears that for some air-launched missile applications the self-accelerating supersonic ram jet may have a lower gross weight than a rocket-boosted ram jet.

RESEARCH EQUIPMENT, FREE-FLIGHT↗

NASA NTRS2008

Assessment and Mission Planning Capability For Quantitative Aerothermodynamic Flight Measurements Using Remote Imaging

High resolution calibrated infrared imagery of vehicles during hypervelocity atmospheric entry or sustained hypersonic cruise has the potential to provide flight data on the distribution of surface temperature and the state of the airflow over the vehicle. In the early 1980 s NASA sought to obtain high spatial resolution infrared imagery of the Shuttle during entry. Despite mission execution with a technically rigorous pre-planning capability, the single airborne optical system for this attempt was considered developmental and the scientific return was marginal. In 2005 the Space Shuttle Program again sponsored an effort to obtain imagery of the Orbiter. Imaging requirements were targeted towards Shuttle ascent; companion requirements for entry did not exist. The engineering community was allowed to define observation goals and incrementally demonstrate key elements of a quantitative spatially resolved measurement capability over a series of flights. These imaging opportunities were extremely beneficial and clearly demonstrated capability to capture infrared imagery with mature and operational assets of the US Navy and the Missile Defense Agency. While successful, the usefulness of the imagery was, from an engineering perspective, limited. These limitations were mainly associated with uncertainties regarding operational aspects of data acquisition. These uncertainties, in turn, came about because of limited pre-flight mission planning capability, a poor understanding of several factors including the infrared signature of the Shuttle, optical hardware limitations, atmospheric effects and detector response characteristics. Operational details of sensor configuration such as detector integration time and tracking system algorithms were carried out ad hoc (best practices) which led to low probability of target acquisition and detector saturation. Leveraging from the qualified success during Return-to-Flight, the NASA Engineering and Safety Center sponsored an assessment study focused on increasing the probability of returning spatially resolved scientific/engineering thermal imagery. This paper provides an overview of the assessment task and the systematic approach designed to establish confidence in the ability of existing assets to reliably acquire, track and return global quantitative surface temperatures of the Shuttle during entry. A discussion of capability demonstration in support of a potential Shuttle boundary layer transition flight test is presented. Successful demonstration of a quantitative, spatially resolved, global temperature measurement on the proposed Shuttle boundary layer transition flight test could lead to potential future applications with hypersonic flight test programs within the USAF and DARPA along with flight test opportunities supporting NASA s project Constellation.

Horvath, Thomas↗

NASA NTRS1989

Hydrocarbon-fueled scramjet combustor component development tests

Technology is being developed for a hydrocarbon-fueled engine operating as a scramjet over the flight Mach number range from 5.6 to 7. A series of connected-pipe tests were performed to define scramjet combustor design criteria applicable to the United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) engine concept which comprises a pair of modular axisymmetric combustor underslung on a supersonic/hypersonic missile. The development of key pilot and fuel injector components of the combustor is pursued in a variable-geometry two-dimensional test section over a range of combustor entrance conditions simulating the intended flight regime. The applicability of the two-dimensional test results to the axisymmetric engine is ensured by maintaining a proper simulation of combustor entrance conditions and preserving the actual length scale in the two-dimensional test configuration. An air-breathing pilot was developed and tested to evaluate flame stabilization and flame propagation characteristics. A pilot configuration was developed that operated stably, with minimal flow spillage, at exhaust stagnation temperatures as high as 4500 R with ethylene fuel. It was demonstrated that the pilot promotes efficient combustion of either gaseous ethylene or preheated liquid Jet-A (JP-5) when they are injected into the supersonic mainstream flow as primary fuels. For the tests with Jet-A fuel, the fuel was heated in an array of internal cooling passages within the pilot walls to a thermodynamic condition such that it would flash-vaporize upon injection into the mainstream flow. The idea of using the air-breathing pilot and distributed primary and secondary fuel injectors to achieve efficient supersonic combustion over a wide range of equivalence ratios was also experimentally demonstrated during the program. During staged fuel injection tests with gaseous ethylene fuel, high secondary fuel combustion efficiencies were achieved and smooth transitions from fully supersonic to dual mode (supersonic/subsonic) operation were demonstrated at high overall equivalence ratios.

Kay, Ira W.↗

NASA NTRS2021

Design, Calibration, and Application of A Cryogenic Low-Background Infrared Radiometer for Spectral Irradiance and Radiance Measurements From 4- to 20-μm Wavelength

We have constructed, calibrated, and tested a cryogenic low-background infrared (IR) radiometer for both spectral radiance and irradiance measurements over the 4- to 20-μm wavelength range. The primary purpose of the Missile Defense Transfer Radiometer (MDXR) is to measure absolute irradiance or radiance from cryogenic IR test chamber sources using a photoconductive Si:As blocked-impurity band (BIB) detector and a set of spectral filters. The MDXR also includes an absolute cryogenic radiometer (ACR) and a Fourier-transform spectrometer (FTS). For irradiance measurements, the ACR is used to provide the primary power scale for the BIB detector in conjunction with spectral filters, whereas the FTS/BIB configuration derives its scale from an internal blackbody source. The two measurement scales show agreement for the irradiance of highly collimated (<1 mrad) IR beams from 10 -13 to 10 -8 W / μm / cm 2 within the combined relative uncertainties of 2.6% (coverage factor k = 1.) We have also calibrated the radiometer for radiance measurements using a large cavity fluid bath blackbody that overfills the spatial and angular extent of the radiometer entrance pupil. The radiometric calibration uncertainty analysis of the radiometer and its maintenance and stability are discussed.

radiometry↗

NASA NTRS1967

The Practical Calculation of the Aerodynamic Characteristics of Slender Finned Vehicles

The basic objective of this thesis is to provide a practical method of computing the aerodynamic characteristics of slender finned vehicles such as sounding rockets, high speed bombs, and guided missiles. The aerodynamic characteristics considered are the normal force coefficient derivative, c(sub N(sub alpha)); center of pressure, bar-X; roll forcing moment coefficient derivative, c(sub l(sub delta)); roll damping moment coefficient derivative, c(sub l(sub p)); pitch damping moment coefficient derivative, c(sub mq); and the drag coefficient, c (sub D). Equations are determined for both subsonic and supersonic flow. No attempts is made to analyze the transonic region. The general configuration to which the relations are applicable is a slender axisymmetric body having three or four fins.

Barrowman, James S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Numerical simulation of vortical flow over an elliptical-body missile at high angles of attack

Numerical solutions to the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are given for the flow about an elliptical body missile (3:1 ellipse) at a Mach number of 2.5 and a unit Reynolds number of 6.56 x 10 to the 6th/m. At high angles of attack, the flow is dominated by large-scale free vortices which occur in the lee-side flow field due to crossflow boundary-layer separation. Emphasis is focused on the accurate prediction of the lee-side vortical flow. Solutions are presented for both symmetric and asymmetric (body rolled 45 deg) configurations at 10 deg and 20 deg angle of attack. The computed results are compared with experimental surface pressure coefficients and vapor-screen photographs. Excellent agreement is obtained in all cases.

Newsome, R. N.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Forebody and missile side forces and the time analogy

A review of the 2-D, impulsively started cylinder literature is given to identify a number of physical parameters that can impact the nondimensional time at which vortex asymmetries begin. These parameters are then related to 3-D testing and explain the lack of data repeatability. The implications of these parameters on 3-D computational modeling is also discussed. An ad hoc form of the time analogy is then used to analyze and organize a slender body data base. An important result of the analysis is that the sectional side force in the nose region is a key to understanding the side force behavior for the configuration as a whole. The nose side force at the first pressure station is shown, for the data analyzed, to uniquely determine the rest of the side force development for laminar flow and to correlate with roll orientation independent of angle of attack and Reynolds number.

Hall, Robert M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

AR/D image processing system

General Dynamics has developed advanced hardware, software, and algorithms for use with the Tomahawk cruise missile and other unmanned vehicles. We have applied this technology to the problem of locating and determining the orientation of the docking port of a target vehicle with respect to an approaching spacecraft. The system described in this presentation utilizes a multi-processor based computer to digitize and process television imagery and extract parameters such as range to the target vehicle, approach, velocity, and pitch and yaw angles. The processor is based on the Inmos T-800 Transputer and is configured as a loosely coupled array. Each processor operates asynchronously and has its own local memory. This allows additional processors to be easily added if additional processing power is required for more complex tasks. Total system throughput is approximately 100 MIPS (scalar) and 60 MFLOPS and can be expanded as desired. The algorithm implemented on the system uses a unique adaptive thresholding technique to locate the target vehicle and determine the approximate position of the docking port. A target pattern surrounding the port is than analyzed in the imagery to determine the range and orientation of the target. This information is passed to an autopilot which uses it to perform course and speed corrections. Future upgrades to the processor are described which will enhance its capabilities for a variety of missions.

Wookey, Cathy↗

NASA NTRS1988

Cavity door effects on aerodynamic loadings of compressed-carriage store configurations separating from cavities at supersonic speeds

An experimental wind-tunnel investigation has been conducted at supersonic Mach numbers to determine the effects of cavity doors on the aerodynamic characteristics of compressed-carriage store configurations during separation from a shallow box cavity (closed cavity flow) located in a simulated generic parent aircraft. The tests were conducted in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel at free-stream Mach numbers of 1.70, 2.00, and 2.65 for a constant Reynolds number per foot of two million. Results are summarized to show the effects of cavity door opening angles, vertical door height, folded and unfolded tail fins, and Mach number on the near-field aerodynamic separation characteristics of a single missile-type store with in-line cruciform wings and tail fins.

Blair, A. B., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Stability and control characteristics of a monoplanar elliptic missile model at Mach numbers from 1.60 to 2.86

An investigation was conducted of a monoplanar maneuverable missile concept having a nose forebody with a circular cross section and a centerbody and afterbody with elliptical cross sections. The tests involved several component changes and were conducted in the low Mach number test section of the Langley Unitary Plan wind tunnel at Mach numbers of 1.60, 2.16, and 2.86, at angles of attack ranging from -4 degs to 28 degs and at sideslip angles ranging from -4 degs to 8 degs. The most significant result was that at the highest Mach number (2.86), the configuration with the infrared nose produced nearly twice the axial force as the same configuration with the radar nose. The cranked wing had a destabilizing effect on the longitudinal stability and had no effect on the lateral-directional stability. The nose strakes had no effect longitudinally and were detrimental to the lateral-directional stability.

Sawyer, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Wind-tunnel investigation at supersonic speeds of a remote-controlled canard missile with a free-rolling-tail brake torque system

Wind tunnel tests were conducted at Mach numbers 1.70, 2.16, and 2.86 to determine the static aerodynamic characteristics of a cruciform canard-controlled missile with fixed or free rolling tailfin afterbodies. Mechanical coupling effects of the free-rolling-tail afterbody were investigated by using an electronic electromagnetic brake system providing arbitrary tail-fin brake torques with continuous measurements of tail-to-mainframe torque and tail roll rate. Remote-controlled canards were deflected to provide pitch, yaw, and roll control. Results indicate that the induced rolling moment coefficients due to canard yaw control are reduced and linearized for the free-rolling-tail (free-tail) configuration. The canards of the latter provide conventional roll control for the entire angle-of-attack test range. For the free-tail configuration, the induced rolling moment coefficient due to canard yaw control increased and the canard roll control decreased with increases in brake torque, which simulated bearing friction torque. It appears that a compromise in regard to bearing friction, for example, low-cost bearings with some friction, may allow satisfactory free-tail aerodynamic characteristics that include reductions in adverse rolling-moment coefficients and lower tail roll rates.

Blair, A. B., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Wind-tunnel studies of the effects of stimulated damage on the aerodynamic characteristics of airplanes and missiles

As an aid in assessing the aerodynamic effects of battle damage that might be sustained by military airplanes or missiles, several wind tunnel investigations were performed at the Langley Research Center in which damage was simulated with models by the removal of all or parts of the wing and tails. Results of the investigations indicate that the loss of a major part of the vertical tail will probably result in the loss of an airplane in any speed range. The loss of major parts of the horizontal tail generally results in catastrophic instability in the subsonic range but, at low supersonic speeds, and for some planform configurations at subsonic speeds, may allow stable flight to the extent that the airplane might return to friendly territory before the pilot must eject. The results further indicate that major damage to the wing, up to the point of the complete removal of one wing panel, and major damage to the horizontal tail may be sustained without necessarily causing the loss of the airplane or pilot.

Spearman, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Joint Acoustic Propagation Experiment (JAPE)

The Joint Acoustic Propagation Experiment (JAPE), performed under the auspices of NATO and the Acoustics Working Group, was conducted at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, USA, during the period 11-28 Jul. 1991. JAPE consisted of 220 trials using various acoustic sources including speakers, propane cannon, various types of military vehicles, helicopters, a 155mm howitzer, and static high explosives. Of primary importance to the performance of these tests was the intensive characterization of the atmosphere before and during the trials. Because of the wide range of interests on the part of the participants, JAPE was organized in such a manner to provide a broad cross section of test configurations. These included short and long range propagation from fixed and moving vehicles, terrain masking, and vehicle detection. A number of independent trials were also performed by individual participating agencies using the assets available during JAPE. These tests, while not documented in this report, provided substantial and important data to those groups. Perhaps the most significant feature of JAPE is the establishment of a permanent data base which can be used by not only the participants but by others interested in acoustics. A follow-on test was performed by NASA LaRC during the period 19-29 Aug. 1991 at the same location. These trials consisted of 59 overflights of supersonic aircraft in order to establish the relationship between atmospheric turbulence and the received sonic boom energy at the surface.

Carnes, Benny L.↗

NASA NTRS1970

HELIOS Configuration for Close Sun Flyby

This report is the documented result of an Internal study effort to examine possible spacecraft configurations for flight to within 0.20 AU of the sun. The objective of this study was to optimize the HELIOS spacecraft design for flights closer than 0.3 AU without jeopardizing the HELIOS Project costs or schedule. The results of the study meet this objective. In addition to this written report, an oral presentation has been prepared for the Second HELIOS Joint Working Group Meeting at GSFC on 27 April 1970. In the performance of this study, Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GMBH was assisted by the General Electric Company, Missile and Space Division, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Lex, J.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Advanced Concepts Research for Flywheel Technology Applications

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) (formerly the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization) is embarking on a program to employ the use of High Altitude Airships (HAAs) for surveillance of coastal areas as a part of homeland defense. It is envisioned that these HAAs will fly at 70,000 feet continuously for at least a year, therefore requiring a regenerative electric power system. As part of a program to entice the MDA to utilize the NASA GRC expertise in electric power and propulsion as a means of risk reduction, an internal study program was performed to examine possible configurations that may be employed on a HAA to meet a theoretical surveillance need. This entailed the development of a set of program requirements which were flowed down to system and subsystem level requirements as well as the identification of environmental and infrastructure constraints. Such infrastructure constraints include the ability to construct a reasonably sized HAA within existing airship hangers, as the size of such vehicles could reach in excess of 600 ft. The issues regarding environments at this altitude are similar to those that would be imposed on satellite in Low Earth Orbit. Additionally, operational constraints, due to high winds at certain times of the year were also examined to determine options that could be examined to allow year round coverage of the US coast.

Keith, Theo G., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Calculation of viscous supersonic flows over finned bodies

The parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations are used to calculate the viscous, supersonic flow fields about a six-finned projectile and a generic four-finned missile at angles of attack. Since current computer speeds and storage preclude a fully three-dimensional calculation using the unsteady, Reynolds-averaged, Navier-Stokes equations, the applicability of the PNS equations to the above flow fields is of considerable interest. Two important aspects of the calculation are grid generation and the type of smoothing used to prevent nonphysical solutions. This paper includes a description of the grid-generation process. Results in the form of density contours and velocity vector plots are presented for the two configurations. The applicability of the PNS equations to the complicated flow fields considered is successfully demonstrated.

Rai, M. M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Effects of some geometric variations on missile aerodynamic characteristics at supersonic speeds

A summary of some results from tests of a wing-body general research missile model is presented for a Mach number range up to 4.63. A basic ogive-cylinder body with a length-to-diameter ratio of 10 was used to which was attached a series of wing planforms. The planforms included a family of delta wings and a family of rectangular wings having a constant root chord but varying spans so that wings of constant exposed area could be compared. In addition, a cranked-tip planform was included and a rectangular planform with reduced chord. Some results are presented for wing-body-tail configurations - one utilizing a cranked wing planform and one with wings having a constant root chord and span, but tip chords that were 0, 20, and 40 percent of the root chord.

Spearman, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Effects of some geometric variations on missile aerodynamic characteristics at supersonic speeds

Spearman, M. L.↗