RAIN EROSION ON SPIKE-PROTECTED SUPERSONIC RADOMES
Abstract
This report describes a sled test and shock tube test program designed to assess the effectiveness of flow separation devices in providing rain erosion protection to missile radomes. In the sled test program models were run at supersonic speeds through heavy rain. Those models with the flow separating device sustained little or no damage whereas unprotected models were totally destroyed by rain erosion. In the shock tube, drop breakup was studied over a wide range of the basic scaling parameters. Correlation of the shock tube data with previous drop breakup theory and extension of this theory to the sled test conditions yields results in excellent agreement. These results are then used to predict flow separation configurations at other altitudes and velocities of interest. Based on the results of these two experimental programs and the follow-up analysis, it may be concluded that flow separation techniques are an effective solution to the problem of rain erosion at supersonic speeds.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0363299
Entities
People
- Jacques A. F. Hill
- James E. Nicholson