Standard Atmospheres for Engagement Modeling
Abstract
This document reviews the use of model atmospheres for Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) engagement modeling. BMD engagement models simulate a ballistic missile attack from launch to interception. Model atmospheres are descriptions of atmospheric density and temperature as functions of altitude. However, BMD applications are not consistent in the choice of model atmosphere within a system application and, in fact, may employ more than one model atmosphere within an engagement model. The most widely used model atmospheres are the US-62 and US-76 models. These two differ significantly in the variable of solar activity. Thus, if engagement models run using both the US-62 and US-76 model atmospheres give the same result, the effect of the model atmosphere can probably be ruled out. We recommend that to measure the effects of atmospheric variability on a particular BMD application, engagement models be run using both the US-62 and US-76 model atmospheres. If the results differ, more detailed examination of the physics of the atmosphere for the problem under consideration may be called for.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA272447
Entities
People
- Ernest Bauer
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses