RTV DESTRUCT SYSTEM,
Abstract
The Destruct System incorporates two, independent, parallel radio links to provide reliable interconnection between the ground station and the destruct-control circuits in the RTV. One radio link consists of a UHF transmitter coupled to a circularly polarized antenna at the ground station, and a slot radiator located in one of the tail fins connected to a UHF receiver in the RTV. In operation the UHF carrier is modulated by a destruct hold-off tone which maintains the fail-safe destruct system in the 'safe' mode. However, destruct-control circuitry in the vehicle is designed to energize a destruct-firing circuit any time after launch upon initiation of a command-destruct signal by the flight safety officer. The command-destruct signal comprises two simultaneous audio frequency tones which are injected into the modulator of the UHF transmitter, independent of the destruct hold-off tone. Detection of these two simultaneous tones at the RTV instantaneously energizes the destruct-firing circuit which sets off explosive charges mounted on the solid-propellant motors. The second radio link uses an S-band radar at the ground station and a three-slot antenna array connected to a beacon receiver at the RTV. The radar is operated at the destruct hold-off pulse-repetition frequency (PRF), which maintains destruct-control circuit function in the 'safe' mode.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 15, 1955
- Accession Number
- AD0801629
Entities
People
- L. L. Bixson
- T. C. Larter
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin