Air to ground rocket dispersion minimization

Abstract

Dispersion of the impact points of the unguided rockets is a consequence of disturbances, such as thrust misalignments, rocket asymmetry, manufactoring inacuracy, etc. Influence of some disturbances are most significant in the initial phase of flight when the rocket leaves the launcher due to the small velocity. This influence is minimized by rotation of the rockets in the launcher tube which in practice is realized by the guide pin connected to the rocket and groove in the launcher tube or by canted nozzles. Also the rotation of the rocket in the launching tube and in flight can be realized by canted fins foled in the nozzle when the rocket is in the launcher tube. These fins are deployed when the rocket leaves the tube and creates rocket rotation in free flight. The rolling moments of the rocket in the launcher tube and during free flight are calculated by CFD simulation. The CFD simulation is also used for calculation of the fin hinge moment generated by exaust gases from rocket motor which is required for deployement of the fins when the rocket leaves the launcher tube. The roll rate required for minimization of the rocket dispersions and roll rate in the launcher tube for various cant angle of the fins are calculated by 6DOF numerical simulation. The results of simulation are used to select the best value of the fins cant angle.

Keywords

• air-to-ground rocket
• unguided rocket
• rocket trajectory
• dispersion
• roll rate of the rocket
• numerical computation
• computational fluid dynamics