Integrated Aerodynamic and Trajectory Studies of a Long-Range Morphing Missile

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A morphing missile aims to get optimal flight performances at different flight conditions by a variable aerodynamic shape according to the requirements of multiple missions. For a long-range missile with morphing wings, an integrated method with a morphing geometry, an aerodynamic analysis, and a trajectory simulation program was studied for a wider range. The morphing configuration was designed to improve aerodynamic properties by variable-sweep wings. Those aerodynamic features were then divided into three parts, including both flight Mach numbers and lift-to-drag ratios through detailed aerodynamic analyses. Based on such classifications, we first proposed the combination rules to morph by combining the maximal lift-to-drag ratio with the minimal drag or the maximum pitching moment gradient coefficient. The trajectory simulation program used within the gliding and morphing strategies was then launched. Our results demonstrated both strategies were beneficial for extending the attack ranges of long-range missiles subject to the constraints of stabilities and variable flight conditions. The gliding strategy provided 119.5–45.6% increases in range over the baseline geometry; the morphing scheme also succeeded in increasing the range over the deployment of the gliding strategy by an additional 20.7–46.8%.