Thermal effects on a rotating missile. Master's thesis

Technical Report · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6959770

Kristensen, D H

This thesis sought to determine if rotation would decrease the maximum skin temperature of an ICBM, thus increasing its probability of survival. The first scenario investigated was the Peacekeeper Dense Pack system. The missile field was subjected to a walk attack of 2 MAT weapons, with incoming RV's exploding every two secs. The 2nd scenario was a 4-on-1 attack of a missile-launching system--specifically, one missile was subjected to four bursts located in various positions surrounding the missile. Finally, a missile is attacked by a space-based laser with a maximum absolute power of 10 megawatts. In all cases, the rotation rate was limited to a maximum of 1.6 radians/sec. In all scenarios studied, rotation significantly decreased the maximum skin temperature and increased the missile's probability of survival. The decrease was most dramatic for the walk attack where an optimum rotation rate of .8 radians/sec was established. For the 4-on-1 attack, rotation was effective but required the maximum 1.6 radians/sec rotation rate for best results. For the laser threat rotation was effective, with the maximum rotation rate providing the greatest amount of protection.

• Research Organization: Air Force Inst. of Tech., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (USA). School of Engineering
• OSTI ID: 6959770
• Report Number(s): AD-A-172799/9/XAB; AFIT/GNE/ENP-86M-9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
LASER WEAPONS
EFFICIENCY
MISSILES
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
SPACE WEAPONS
LAUNCHING
ROTATION
THERMAL RADIATION
THERMAL STRESSES
CONTROL
DIRECTED-ENERGY WEAPONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MOTION
RADIATIONS
STRESSES
WEAPONS
450000* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense