Aerodynamic Effects of External Camera Pods and Launch Lugs on a Target Missile Configuration

摘要

Computstional Fluid Dynamics is employed to predict aerodynamic coefficients for the second-stage configuration of a missile defense target missile. Models consist of the clean vehicle with fins and two additional models that include rail launch lugs and externally mounted rear facing camera pods. Analyses are performed to estimate wind tunnel test measurement requirements and to assist in planning of the wind tunnel test matrix. Post-wind tunnel predictions for the clean configuration show excellent comparison to reduced test data. Both predictions and test measurements indicate that the protuberances contribute an additional axial drag to the clean missile configuration of over ten percent.