Evaluation and Selection of Technology Concepts for a Hypersonic High Speed Standoff Missile

摘要

This paper describes the application of a method for technology concept selection to the design of a hypersonic high-speed standoff missile capable of achieving pin-point strike of long-range targets with very short dwell times, such as mobile missile launchers. The primary strengths of this method are its ability to systematically enumerate and organize a wide variety of design alternatives in a simple and elegant manner, and its ability to facilitate concept selection for multi-attribute problems. The high-speed standoff missile is used as a model for application of this technique due to the multi-attribute nature of the problem and the stringent nature of the requirements. These requirements include a 1,500 lb launch weight, 500 nmi range, less than 10 minute time to target, and a unit cost of less than $300, 000. The first step in this process was to assemble a set of configuration and technology options for consideration. From these, a set of eight concepts were synthesized, evaluated, and down-selected to two alternatives: an advanced solid rocket concept, and a ramjet concept. These two designs were evaluated in detail for cost, performance, lethality, and effectiveness. The results were then used in conjunction with the TOPSIS multi-attribute evaluation technique to make a final selection.