Summary of Requirements for Air Data Sensors on Lifting Re-Entry and Glide Return Systems

摘要

A summary of the requirements for use of air data for re-entry and glide return weapon systems is presented. The systems functions of control, display, prediction, protection, guidance and back up are dealt with and the nature of several proposed re-entry systems examined. An analysis is made of obtainable accuracy in the prediction of aerodynamic and air data parameters pertinent to re-entry systems. Results of numerical multi-degree of freedom simulations of an arbitrary re-entry vehicle and the now defunct X-20A weapons system are provided to establish the effects of parameter variations on re-entry paths. Feasibility of a non-gyro, nonstructural mode couupling, three axis air data based re-entry control system is established within the restriction that proper air data sensors are available. It is concluded that re-entry and glide return systems, other than unmanned or purely experimental equipment, require a basic minimum amount of air data for reliable mission performance. This minimum amount of data consists of air density, total pressure, angle of attack and angle of sideslip. (Author)