Overview of the Aerothermal Environment of Air-Launched Missiles.
Abstract
The aerothermal environment of a weapon system begins with the storage and preflight conditions which determine the initial flight temperatures and influence the captive-carry temperature response of the missile. The performance capability of the carrying aircraft and the operational techniques and mission profiles required by current tactics define the captive flight thermal environment. All these factors determine the temperature distribution of the missile at launch, which becomes the initial condition for calculating the temperature response during the free-flight trajectory. The missile configuration affects the temperature response during all phases of flight. Fundamental to the determination of these temperatures is the effect of meteorological and climatic conditions due to the atmospheric temperature distribution which changes substantially as a result of seasonal and geographic effects as well as altitude. The high Mach numbers and extended flight times of the modern high-performance carrying aircraft and of current and proposed highly sophisticated advanced missile systems make detailed consideration and understanding of these effects essential. This report presents an overview of these environmental factors as they are currently understood and employed at the Naval Weapons Center. Also discussed are problem areas and knowledge gaps, particularly in the free-flight environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA116799
Entities
People
- B. M. Ryan
Organizations
- Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake