Maneuverable reentry vehicle trajectory footprints: Calculation and properties

Technical Report · Fri Nov 20 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5729301

Handler, F A

We have obtained an analytical solution of MAneuverable Reentry Vehicle (MARV) trajectory equations that provides useful estimates of a MARV's potential impact footprint on the ground. We concentrate on quick footprint estimation, as required for battle management of a terminal strategic defense system, but we also present other applications such as evaluating tradeoffs between MARV trajectories, design capabilities, and resulting footprints. We estimate the footprint by analytically solving three types of maximal maneuvering trajectories in which the MARV combines maximal turns, lifts or dives through specified angles, finally attempting to extend level flight as long as possible. We display several quantitative results, for a range of MARV capabilities, including variation of footprint area with trajectory incidence angle, altitude, and lift capability. We find that footprint area decreases rapidly as altitude decreases due to the exponentially increasing atmospheric drag. Further, the eccentricity of the footprints depends sensitively on the altitude, incidence angle and velocity, ranging from 0.1 to 0.8. Footprint area increases as lift capability of the MARV increases, roughly as the 3/2 power of lift for a trajectory with incidence angle of 20 degrees. 2 refs., 14 figs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5729301
• Report Number(s): UCID-21286; ON: DE88004726
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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