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At least 73 records · Page 4

Aerodynamic characteristics of missile configurations based on Soviet design concepts

The aerodynamic characteristics of several missile concepts are examined. The configurations, which are based on some typical Soviet design concepts, include fixed-wing missiles with either forward- or aft-tail controls, and wing-control missiles with fixed aft stabilizing surfaces. The conceptual missions include air-to-air, surface-to-air, air-to-surface, and surface-to-surface. Analytical and experimental results indicate that through the proper shaping and location of components, and through the exploitation of local flow fields, the concepts provide generally good stability characteristics, high control effectiveness, and low control hinge moments. In addition, in the case of some cruise-type missions, there are indications of the application of area ruling as a means of improving the aerodynamic efficiency. In general, a point-design philosophy is indicated whereby a particular configuration is developed for performing a particular mission.

Spearman, M. L.↗

Application of an advanced trajectory optimization method to ramjet propelled missiles

The mission performance characteristics of ramjet-propelled missiles are highly dependent upon the trajectory flown. Integration of the trajectory profile with the ramjet propulsion system performance characteristics to achieve optimal missile performance is very complex. Past trajectory optimization methods have been extremely problem dependent and require a high degree of familiarity to achieve success. A general computer code (CTOP) has been applied to ramjet-powered missiles to compute open-loop optimal trajectories. CTOP employs Chebyshev polynomial representations of the states and controls. This allows a transformation of the continuous optimal control problem to one of parameter optimization. With this method, the trajectory boundary conditions are always satisfied. State dynamics and path constraints are enforced via penalty functions. The presented results include solutions to minimum fuel-to-climb, minimum time-to-climb, and minimum time-to-target intercept problems.

Paris, S. W.↗

Computation of three-dimensional inviscid flow over hypersonic missile configurations using the GIM code

A three-dimensional computational technique was used to obtain flowfield solutions to the Euler equations over selected hypersonic missile configurations. The General Interpolants Method (GIM) computer code was used with interpolation functions in an algebraic approach to generate a discrete computational grid for each configuration. The spatial marching version of the GIM code, which treats the parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations or the Euler equations with a shock capturing, 'MacCormack-like' scheme, was used to advance the solution hyperbolically over each configuration. The inviscid flowfield solutions over the two three-dimensional missile configurations, calculated using the GIM hyperbolic scheme, are presented here. The flow field over a wing/body configuration at zero degree angle of attack is presented. Flow over the fuselage of a tactical missile, termed the TAME 10, at both zero degree and 7.5 degree angles of attack is presented. In addition, an inviscid, two-dimensional analysis of an inlet configuration designed to mount on the TAME 10 is included. Contour maps of velocity and pressure are included for each configuration. Comparison of calculation and data show good agreement.

Xiques, K. E.↗

Hypersonic airbreathing missile concepts under study at NASA Langley Research Center

The design and performance of several tactical and strategic hypersonic airbreathing missile concepts under study at the NASA Langley Research Center are discussed from an evolutionary perspective. A mid- and chin inlet missile design, constrained to the Navy's vertical box launcher, was investigated; a performance comparison is presented that is favorable to the mid-inlet approach. Parasol wing, confined flow field, and spatula-like cruise missile configurations were examined with strategic applications in mind. The preliminary results are encouraging with respect to aerodynamic and volumetric efficiency and choice of engine integration schemes.

Hunt, J. L.↗

Comprehensive missile aerodynamics programs for preliminary design

Two different classes of missile aeroprediction programs have been recently developed. The first class of programs provides rapid engineering predictions and includes MISSILE1 and MISSILE2 applicable to missile configurations with axisymmetric bodies. The second class of programs consists of the DEMON series, including a simplified version NSWCDM, designed to calculate detailed loadings acting on supersonic missiles which may have non-circular body cross sections. Both classes account for high angles of attack and track vortices from canard or wing section to the tail section. Extensive comparisons with experimental data are presented including nonlinear effects of canard control.

Dillenius, M. F. E.↗

Aerodynamic characteristics of a series of twin-inlet air-breathing missile configurations. 3: Axisymmetric and two-dimensional inlets at subsonic-transonic speeds

A series of air-breathing missile configurations was investigated to provide a data base for the design of such missiles. The model could be configurated with either twin axisymmetric or two dimensional inlets. Three circumferential inlet locations were investigated: 90 deg, 115 deg, and 135 deg from the top center. Two vertical wing locations, as well as wingless configurations, were used. Three tail configurations were formed by locating the tail surfaces either on the inlet fairing or on the inlet fairing or on fairings on the body. The surfaces were used to provide pitch control. Two dimensional inlets with extended compression surfaces, used to improve the angle-of-attack performance of the inlets for wingless configurations, were also investigated. The twin axisymmetric two dimensional inlet types without internal flow are covered, and the boost configuration of an air-breathing missile is simulated.

Hayes, C.↗

Missile rolling tail brake torque system

Apparatus for simulating varying levels of friction in the bearings of a free rolling tail afterbody on a canard-controlled missile to determine friction effects on aerodynamic control characteristics is described. A ring located between the missile body and the afterbody is utilized in a servo system to create varying levels of friction between the missile body and the afterbody to simulate bearing friction.

Davis, W. T.↗

An overview of some monoplanar missile programs

A historical review is presented of some monoplanar missile systems in which the vehicle flight control was similar to that for a conventional aircraft. The review is essentially chronological, beginning prior to World War I, and includes worldwide programs. Illustrative examples of aerodynamic research with monoplanar missiles are presented including some comparisons with cruciform missiles. Some examples of current programs are presented and some particular mission applications for monoplanar systems are discussed.

Spearman, M. L.↗

An overview of some monoplanar missile programs

A historical review is presented of some monoplanar missile systems in which the vehicle flight control was similar to that for a conventional aircraft. The review is essentially chronological, beginning prior to World War I, and includes worldwise programs. Illustrative examples of aerodynamic research with monoplanar missiles are presented including some comparisons with cruciform missiles. Some examples of current programs are presented and some particular mission applications for monoplanar systems are discussed.

Spearman, M. L.↗

Nonlinear applications of slender-body theory to missile aerodynamics

An evaluation is made of six diverse examples of nonlinear treatments of slender body theory for the prediction of missile aerodynamic behavior. The cases in question are the application of area rule to store carriage design in the drag rise region, the estimation of destabilizing pitching moments associated with transonic projectiles, the pressure loadings on elliptical missile airframes, nonlinear control characteristics, roll control effectiveness in canard missile configurations, and novel approaches for vortex flow modeling.

Hemsch, M. J.↗

Bodies with noncircular cross sections and bank-to-turn missiles

An evaluation is made of prospective missile applications for noncircular cross section bodies, and of recent developments in bank-to-turn missile configuration aerodynamics. The discussion encompasses cross-flow analysis techniques, as well as study results obtained for bodies with elliptical and square cross sections and with variable cross sections. Attention is given to both the performance advantages and the stability and control problems of bank-to-turn missile configurations; the aerodynamic data presented for monoplanar configurations extend to those incorporating airbreathing propulsion systems.

Jackson, C. M., Jr.↗

Supersonic full-potential method applied to missile bodies

The NCOREL full-potential method with an entropy correction is presently applied to supersonic missile flowfield problems. After defining the salient characteristics of the method, a combination of linear theory with NCOREL and experimental data is used to isolate the nonlinear features of the supersonic flow so that the influence of geometry and flow conditions on the development of such flow nonlinearities can be appreciated. Comparisons of experimental longitudinal force and moment data with NCOREL and various linear theory predictions are presented for several generic missile airframe configurations of circular and elliptic cross section. The NCOREL code solves the nonconservative full potential equation in a spherical coordinate system; exact boundary conditions are defined on the missile surface.

Pittman, J. L.↗

The present status and the future of missile aerodynamics

Some recent developments in the state of the art in missile aerodynamics are reviewed. Among the subjects covered are: (1) tri-service/NASA data base, (2) wing-body interference, (3) nonlinear controls, (4) hypersonic transition, (5) vortex interference, (6) airbreathers, supersonic inlets, (7) store separation problems, (8) correlation of missile data, (9) CFD codes for complete configurations, (10) engineering prediction methods, and (11) future configurations. Suggestions are made for future research and development to advance the state of the art of missile aerodynamics.

Nielsen, Jack N.↗

The present status and the future of missile aerodynamics

Recent developments in the state of the art in missile aerodynamics are reviewed. Among the subjects covered are: (1) Tri-service/NASA data base, (2) wing-body interference, (3) nonlinear controls, (4) hypersonic transition, (5) vortex interference, (6) airbreathers, supersonic inlets, (7) store separation problems, (8) correlation of missile data, (9) CFD codes for complete configurations, (10) engineering prediction methods, and (11) future configurations. Suggestions are made for future research and development to advance the state of the art of missile aerodynamics.

Nielsen, Jack N.↗

Flexible missile autopilot design studies with PC-MATLAB/386

Development of a responsive, high-bandwidth missile autopilot for airframes which have structural modes of unusually low frequency presents a challenging design task. Such systems are viable candidates for modern, state-space control design methods. The PC-MATLAB interactive software package provides an environment well-suited to the development of candidate linear control laws for flexible missile autopilots. The strengths of MATLAB include: (1) exceptionally high speed (MATLAB's version for 80386-based PC's offers benchmarks approaching minicomputer and mainframe performance); (2) ability to handle large design models of several hundred degrees of freedom, if necessary; and (3) broad extensibility through user-defined functions. To characterize MATLAB capabilities, a simplified design example is presented. This involves interactive definition of an observer-based state-space compensator for a flexible missile autopilot design task. MATLAB capabilities and limitations, in the context of this design task, are then summarized.

Ruth, Michael J.↗

Two-target game model of an air combat with fire-and-forget all-aspect missiles

An air combat duel between similar aggressive fighter aircraft, both equipped with the same type of guided missiles, is formulated as a two-target differential game using the dynamic model of the game of two identical cars. Each of the identical target sets represents the effective firing envelope of an all-aspect fire-and-forget air-to-air missile. The firing range limits depend on the target aspect angle and are approximated by analytical functions. The maximum range, computed by taking into account the optimal missile avoidance maneuver of the target, determines the no-escape firing envelope. The solution consists of the decomposition of the game space into four regions: the respective winning zones of the two opponents, the draw zone, and the region where the game terminates by a mutual kill. The solution provides a new insight for future air combat analysis.

Davidovitz, A.↗

Aerodynamics Of Missiles: Present And Future

Paper reviews variety of topics in aerodynamics of missiles. Describes recent developments and suggests areas in which future research fruitful. Emphasis on stability and control of tactical missiles. Aerodynamic problems discussed in general terms without reference to particular missiles.

Nielsen, Jack N.↗

PNS predictions for supersonic/hypersonic flows over finned missile configurations

Finned missile design entails accurate and computationally fast numerical techniques for predicting viscous flows over complex lifting configurations at small to moderate angles of attack and over Mach 3 to 15; these flows are often characterized by strong embedded shocks, so that numerical algorithms are also required to capture embedded shocks. The recent real-gas Flux Vector Splitting technique is here extended to investigate the Mach 3 flow over a typical finned missile configuration with/without side fin deflections. Elliptic grid-generation techniques for Mach 15 flows are shown to be inadequate for Mach 3 flows over finned configurations and need to be modified. Fin-deflection studies indicate that even small amounts of missile fin deflection can substantially modify vehicle aerodynamics. This 3D parabolized Navier-Stokes scheme is also extended into an efficient embedded algorithm for studying small axially separated flow regions due to strong fin and control surface deflections.

Bhutta, Bilal A.↗