Performance simulations of a rocket- and a ramjet air-to-air missile

Abstract

The Netherlands defence research organisation TNO Prins Maurits Laboratory (TNO-PML) and the Defence Research Establishment Valcartier (DREV) in Canada maintain missile technology knowledge bases that are continuously being updated by means of research into missile technology developments. These knowledge bases allow them to support their respective Armed Forces with the evaluation of future missile systems, with the assessment of their operational effectiveness and by carrying out threat analyses. In order to predict missile performance, TNO-PML and DREV have developed 6 Degrees-Of-Freedom (6DOF) simulation models using modern software tools. Both institutes collaborate in a demonstration program on integral rocket-ramjet technology, which covers both experimental and modeling work on Ducted Rocket motor performance. A computer code has been developed to predict the Ducted Rocket motor performance as a function of flight conditions and motor settings. This joint Ducted Rocket motor performance code has been incorporated in the 6DOF missile performance simulation models of both TNO-PML and DREV. This paper reports on the application of the missile performance simulation tools. Two reference missiles have been modeled, a 7 diameter beyond visual range air-to-air rocket-powered missile and an improved ramjet version respectively. Realistic scenarios against an advanced threat have been chosen to model typical missions for the performance simulations. The aim of these performance simulations was to establish the influence of the propulsion type on the overall missile performance. The final results confirm the improved