Browse Topic: Munitions
The canard configuration has been widely adopted in short-range missiles. However, its main drawbacks include difficulties in roll control and a limited angle-of-attack (AoA) range. Compared to conventional canard missiles, the addition of a pair of control surfaces (referred to as “aileron”) behind the canard control surfaces achieves decoupling between the roll channel and pitch-yaw channel. To investigate the influence of ailerons on the aerodynamic characteristics of canard configuration missiles, numerical simulations were conducted for two typical flow conditions: subsonic (Mach 0.5) and supersonic (Mach2.0). The results show that the introduction of ailerons increases the normal force of missiles, causes the center of pressure to shift forward, and reduces the static stability of missiles, thus enhancing their maneuverability. When the ailerons control the roll channel, the effectiveness of the rolling moment remains consistent over the entire AoA range without adverse effects. However, when the canards control the pitch channel, the interference caused by the deflection of the canards on the ailerons leads to increased lift and generates additional nose-up pitching moments, which reduces the pitching moment effectiveness of the missile.
Rocket projectiles are a type of ammunition that get their power from rocket engines. Long-range guided rockets, in particular, hold great significance as they seem to mark the way forward in modern warfare. These guided projectiles take full advantage of the considerable range that long-range rockets offer and, at the same time, manage to achieve improved accuracy. This paper delves into a model that is used for predicting the impact point of rocket projectiles, with the application of the proportional navigation guidance law. It also undertakes an analysis of both the strengths and the weaknesses of this model. Through the formulation of equations related to the dynamics of the center of mass and some other supplementary equations, a rather comprehensive trajectory equation was worked out. When this trajectory was simulated, it brought about the creation of a firing table, which is of help in predicting the initial trajectory inclination angle.
This paper proposes a UAV combat simulation method integrating AFSIM and DoDAF to address the complexity of UAV combat systems. DoDAF establishes a multi-view architecture mode to clarify logical relationships between UAVs and weapon systems, laying a structured foundation. AFSIM implements dynamic simulation of combat processes by mapping DoDAF’s static architecture to its dynamic elements, simulating UAV maneuver, situation awareness, and strikes. A UAV search-and-strike mission scenario test shows the method accurately simulates collaborative behavior in target searching, tracking, and engaging. This method features a high degree of standardization and normalization, providing a foundation for the evaluation of UAV combat effectiveness and strategy optimization.
Now that Modular Open Systems Approaches (MOSA) are being incorporated into the development of weapon systems that are acquired by the U.S. Department of War (DoW), attention is turning to transitioning disparate standalone weapon systems into an enterprise portfolio of weapon systems, a Family of Systems (FoS), whereby the effective management of a common constraining, or reference, architecture can aid in realizing the objective of 'develop once, reuse many times.' This is particularly challenging when enduring fleet legacy weapon systems are involved in addition to new development systems. Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and techniques have now become the norm in system developments. It is, therefore, imperative to effectively employ MBSE techniques in establishing a FoS. This paper proposes an MBSE-based Product Line Engineering (PLE) method for implementing FoS architectures that enables controlled architectural variation while preserving enterprise reuse and architectural consistency.
On a clear afternoon over a contested airspace, a drone suddenly appears on radar. Within seconds, more follow, and they're small, fast, and unpredictable. For the U.S. Army's air and missile defense operators, every moment counts. The difference between mission success and mission failure is measured in milliseconds. During that brief window, sensors must connect instantly, embedded systems must process floods of data at the edge, and command links must hold steady even under electronic interference.
Leonardo DRS has opened a new naval power and propulsion manufacturing and testing facility in Charleston, South Carolina, expanding its role in delivering next generation electric propulsion, integrated power systems, and high energy payload support for U.S. Navy surface and undersea platforms. The 140,000 square foot site consolidates advanced manufacturing, final assembly, and high fidelity testing for electric power conversion and propulsion systems, while also supporting naval steam turbine design, production, and subsystem integration for programs including the Columbia class ballistic missile submarine. A representative for Leonardo's Naval Power Systems business unit provided emailed statements with details about the type of advanced manufacturing the company will deploy at the new facility.
Pyrovalves (also known as pyrotechnic valves) have long been a staple in defense systems, particularly in missile and munition launcher applications. The rapid growth of counter-UAS and missile defense systems makes this an ideal time to explore smarter alternatives to pyrovalves. One of the largest ongoing U.S. military efforts is the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. In December, MDA issued two tranches of SHIELD awards to more than 2,100 companies, including major defense contractors and startups such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, Shield AI, Anduril, and Virtualitics.
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Technical Center's Aerophysics Research Facility, (ARF), fired a successful hypersonic shot to test its new rainfield simulator. U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Technical Center, Huntsville, AL Zack Perrin, ARF manager and technical lead engineer of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC's) Targets and Test Resources Branch of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, said ARF is SMDC's premier hypersonic flight and hypervelocity impact laboratory. Perrin said their largest gun system, the 254 mm light gas guns, or LGGs, is the fastest gun in the Army and can launch projectiles 6 inches in diameter to speeds up to 3 kilometers per second or smaller projectiles on the order of 2.7 inches in diameter to velocities exceeding 6 km/s. “I like to tell people that the facility is a gun range the size of an aircraft carrier and within the facility are multiple engineering tools, called light gas guns,” Perrin said. “Aerophysics' core mission is to efficiently and affordably provide both the Army and the broader Department of Defense (DoD) engineering community with state-of-the-art hypersonic aerodynamic data, hypervelocity impact physics data, and weapons system performance data.”
RF and fiber have long co-existed within modern military and aerospace systems, with each medium dedicated to separate, mission-critical roles. Increasingly, however, system designers are turning to RF-over-fiber (RFoF) architectures to bridge the gap between over-the-air RF interfaces and the long, interference-resistant transport advantages of fiber. When it comes to over-the-air communications uses like tactical radio or satellite communications terminals, radio frequency (RF) is still the dominant signal format. RF is also commonly used at the front end of radar and electronic warfare, supporting search, tracking, fire control radar, missile seekers, jammers and electronic support measures.
Current world conflicts have proven that drones are now indispensable tools in modern warfare. Whether for reconnaissance, loitering munitions, or asymmetric tactics that exploit vulnerabilities in conventional defenses, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are redefining the rules of engagement.
Moog Inc. East Aurora, NY kgibas@moog.com
When a Marine in the field launches an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) to gather intelligence, it becomes more than just a drone. It's a flying data center that processes AI workloads, runs machine learning algorithms, and transmits critical information through a complex network designed to provide situational awareness across multiple commands. All of this computational power generates significant heat, and in the confined space of a UAV operating in harsh environmental conditions, thermal management becomes critical to mission success. But there's a fundamental question the U.S. defense isn't asking: how will we manage the heat? The Golden Dome, the Trump administration's vision for missile defense, builds upon the existing Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) framework for connecting sensors from all branches of the U.S. armed forces into a unified network powered by artificial intelligence. This plan faces an existential threat from thermal management challenges that have plagued edge computing systems for years.
Hensoldt Taufkirchen, Germany nico.fritz@hensoldt.net
The DEVCOM Armaments Center is developing the Assured Armaments Reference Architecture (AARA), a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) for lethality systems. AARA defines internal and external data interfaces for integrated armament systems, promoting competition, reducing development lifecycles, and increasing sustainability by decreasing the scope of regression testing through well-defined interfaces. AARA will deliver a government-owned MOSA architecture consisting of the requirements and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) necessary to implement and conform to the AARA Data Bus and AARA Components’ data structure. AARA will be interoperable with PEO GCS’ Common Infrastructure Architecture (GCIA), enabling a MOSA for lethality systems across stand-alone armament systems and ground vehicle platforms
U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal, AL 703-697-9603
The nature of defense readiness is being reformed and redefined. Not only are our weapon systems being made increasingly advanced and sophisticated, but the resilience of our defense manufacturing base is becoming the key deterrent factor. In a world that is facing geopolitical uncertainty, escalated regional and global conflicts and tensions, as well as fractured supply chains, the capability to produce critical defense components rapidly, locally, and securely has become a significant strategic advantage. The era when innovation alone could secure an advantage has passed. Today, the real test is whether that innovation and associated advanced systems can be delivered exactly where and when they are needed. It is critical to demonstrate that the United States can readily maintain its defense capabilities even if current conventional supply chains break down or critical manufacturing hubs come under threat.
A joint acoustic flight test was conducted by NASA Langley Research Center and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center, with the goal of investigating new methods for acoustic data collection. The impetus for the effort is the anticipated growth of Urban Air Mobility and Future Vertical Lift vehicles. Many of these vehicles are expected to have distributed propulsion systems that may result in unsteady vehicle state conditions even during steady flight. This work examines the acoustic measurements collected during purposefully unsteady maneuvers performed by an MD530F helicopter. A snapshot microphone array design was deployed for this test to capture the acoustic signature on the ground from the helicopter under maneuver conditions. An analysis of the acoustic emissions indicated the presence of blade-vortex interactions, not only during the rolls towards the advancing side of the main rotor, but also rolls towards the retreating side and during pitch-up maneuvers. The strength of the interaction noise was found to be strongly dependent on the acceleration of the vehicle.
BlueHalo Arlington, VA paul.frommelt@bluehalo.com
U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Armaments Center Independence, MO usarmy.pica.jpeo-aa.mbx.jpeo-aa-public-affairs@army.mil
Affordable mass refers to the ability to rapidly produce large quantities of effective, cost-efficient munitions and systems. It's not about cutting corners but about optimizing every facet of the production process, from design to deployment. The challenge goes beyond strategic methods of design and manufacturing - and must feature industrywide acceptance of affordability as a means of adding capacity, survivability, and efficacy to a new generation of munitions. The Department of Defense (DoD) is faced with preparing for potential confrontations with peer or near-peer adversaries. Unlike conflicts of the past, where U.S. forces may have faced regional militias with limited air defense capabilities, today's enemy is armed with integrated air defense systems (IADS) capable of countering non-stealth aircraft and outdated weapons. While advanced 5th generation F-35 fighters and B-21 stealth bombers can penetrate these modern air defenses, the Air Force must also develop an inventory of mid-range, stand-in precision-guided munitions (PGMs) designed for contested environments. This fully capitalizes on stealth capabilities and delivers critical battlefield effects on which commanders rely. The ideal inventory of PGMs must offer the capacity, survivability, and effectiveness necessary to ensure that even the most advanced aircraft does not fall short in future conflicts.
Affordable mass refers to the ability to rapidly produce large quantities of effective, cost-efficient munitions and systems. It’s not about cutting corners but about optimizing every facet of the production process, from design to deployment. The challenge goes beyond strategic methods of design and manufacturing — and must feature industrywide acceptance of affordability as a means of adding capacity, survivability, and efficacy to a new generation of munitions.
Anduril Industries Orange County, CA Contact@anduril.com
Delivered by Team Hersa, a joint Defense Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Defense, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) enterprise, the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) can detect, track and engage a range of threats across land, air and sea. The system uses radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside enemy platforms, such as drones, causing them to stop in their tracks or fall out of the sky. As such, it offers a solution for the protection and defense of critical assets and bases. Capable of downing dangerous drone swarms with instant effect, at only 10p per shot, the RFDEW is a highly capable and cost-effective alternative to traditional missile-based air defense systems. It will be able to effect targets up to 1 km away, with further development in extending the range ongoing. Its high level of automation also means the system can be operated by a single person.
Every time a soldier pulls the trigger on a 7.62 rifle or pulls the wire of a 155 Howitzer, a complex chain reaction ensues over the next millisecond that we refer to as the ignition event. The ignition event involves a highly dynamic interaction with heat and mass transfer between multiple reacting chemicals across a varied spatial domain to achieve rapid and uniform burning of the entire granular propellant bed. After the ignition event, standard interior ballistics apply: Propellant is burnt, pressure increases and the projectile accelerates down the barrel until leaving the muzzle. To date, the details and controlling mechanisms of the ignition event and propagation into granular propellant beds have not been well understood or characterized. Weapon designers often simplify the ignition and combustion process by assuming it behaves in a quasi-static manner, and therefore the thermodynamic state across the entire combustion chamber at any point in time is modeled by single, uniform state variables such as temperature or pressure. Unfortunately, experience has shown that this assumption is not always accurate, sometimes with dramatic safety and performance consequences. In many cases, deviations from ideal quasi-static conditions in the combustion chamber can be attributed to variations in the ignition of the propellant bed and are therefore a direct consequence of inadequate ignition train design and a fundamental lack of understanding of the ignition mechanisms.
BlueHalo Arlington, VA 703-718-4050
Defense Equipment & Support (DE&S) Bristol, UK 0117-913-0893
Severe problem of aerodynamic heating and drag force are inherent with any hypersonic space vehicle like space shuttle, missiles etc. For proper design of vehicle, the drag force measurement become very crucial. Ground based test facilities are employed for these estimates along with any suitable force balance as well as sensors. There are many sensors (Accelerometer, Strain gauge and Piezofilm) reported in the literature that is used for evaluating the actual aerodynamic forces over test model in high speed flow. As per previous study, the piezofilm also become an alternative sensor over the strain gauges due to its simple instrumentation. For current investigation, the piezofilm and strain gauge sensors have mounted on same stress force balance to evaluate the response time as well as accuracy of predicted force at the same instant. However, these force balance need to be calibrated for inverse prediction of the force from recorded responses. A reliable multi point calibration methodology has been used to recover the calibration force. Initially, a blunt bicone shaped scaled “DASA CTV” model has been fabricated in house along with three component stress wave balance. Further, a multi-point calibration experiment has been performed over a test model at nine different locations. In literature, there is no any evidence has been found that effect of various sensors during calibration or actual shock tunnel experiments on a recovered forces. Hence, a calibration experimental studies focus on various sensors mounted on stress wave force balance to understand its behavior and also recovery of calibration forces during the experiment.
Lockheed Martin Orlando, FL 407-284-9248
U.S. Army Combat Capability Development Command Aviation and Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC) and Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) developed the Mission Systems Flying Testbed (MSFTB) to enable rapid evaluation of innovative technologies and integration approaches against Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) objectives. The MSFTB is a flight test capability to evaluate and demonstrate integration of mission systems to inform Army stakeholders on satisfaction of Modular Open System goals for the Army Aviation enterprise, Future Vertical Lift family of systems, and enduring aviation platforms.
Corrosion occurs in diverse environments mainly on metallic parts. Helicopters are made of a huge percentage of metallic parts and need to have several maintenance steps to guarantee its functioning and its durability. The military helicopters are flying in different kinds of environment, which cover large spectrum of severity of the atmospheric corrosion [1]. In maritime conditions, the most influencing factor is the Time of Wetness, which is a direct result Relative Humidity and Salt loading. The main material used for aircraft and that is suffering from corrosion is aluminium. There are plenty of data to follow the corrosion as a function of the environmental conditions, mainly on the sensitivity with sodium chloride, Relative Humidity, film thickness, etc... [2][3]. The maintenance efficiency on helicopters is dependent on the environmental severity. The U.S. armed forces estimate $10.2 billion in corrosion costs for their aviation and missile fleets during 2016 [4] [5] [6]. The aim of the present analysis consists of defining the Condition Based Maintenance related to corrosion risk to better apply a maintenance program when it is really needed.
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