Numerical Investigation of Jet Interactions for a Lateral Thrust Jet Controlled Interceptor Operating at Medium Altitudes

Abstract

Lateral thrust jets exhibit better maneuverability performance than control surfaces such as conventional fins for attitude control or the orbital transfer of guided weapons. In the supersonic region, however, jet interaction phenomena occur due to the lateral thrust jet during flight and a complicated flow structure is exhibited by the interaction of the shock wave, boundary layer flow, and vortex flow. In particular, hit-to-kill interceptors require precise control and maneuvering; therefore, it is necessary to analyze the effect of the jet interaction flow. A number of conventional jet interaction analyses have been performed under low-altitude conditions; however, there are not many cases with respect to medium-altitude conditions. Unlike low-altitude conditions, jet interaction flows at medium-altitude conditions have different flow characteristics. In this study, a jet interaction flow analysis is performed on a lateral thrust jet controlled interceptor operating at medium altitudes. Based on the results, the characteristics of the flow structure and the changes in the aerodynamic coefficients are analyzed.