Optical Measurement, of Missile Wing Deformation in High Velocity Tests,

Abstract

Two optical methods were developed which can measure wing deformations using the sled track streak cameras and would minimize preparation of the test missile. One method developed involves viewing the reflection of a grid pattern on the surface of a mirror polished test wing. This is similar to that used in previous wind tunnel tests in which the grid was painted on the tunnel wall. For the sled tests the polished test wing reflects a grid pattern painted on one of the missile wings perpendicular to it. The test wing and grid are both moving at the same velocity, therefore the reflection of the grid on the test wing and the test wing itself can be photographed with the sled range streak cameras. The position of the grid reflection on the test wing is used to calculate the tangents to its surface and the spatial deformation or wing profile is found by curve fitting from a point of zero deformation. This technique was used in Hawk missile tests conducted at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico and test wing profiles were calculated from streak camera photographs taken at velocities of Mach 1.9 and Mach 2.1. A Moire analysis technique was also developed which requires ruling the wing with a grid pattern and photographing the ruled wing at two different angles both before and after deformation.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA025986

Entities

People

  • Charles R. Christensen
  • J. Lynn Smith
  • Judson R. Griffin
  • Terry A. Martin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Cameras
  • Curve Fitting
  • New Mexico
  • Photographs
  • Photography
  • Reflection
  • Sled Tests
  • Streak Cameras
  • Wind Tunnel Tests
  • Wind Tunnels

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Computer Vision.
  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)