Trajectory Prediction of Spin-Stabilized Projectiles with a Liquid Payload

Abstract

Abstract : Payloads that behave like a liquid are carried on board some projectile configurations, and it is well established that the internal motion of a liquid payload can induce destabilizing moments on the projectile. This report creates a method to include the effect of a liquid payload in the flight dynamic equations of motion, enabling trajectory simulations of projectiles with liquid payloads. To include this effect, liquid payload moments are added to the applied loads on the projectile. These loads are computed by solving the linearized Navier-Stokes equations for a projectile undergoing coning motion. To highlight the methodology, trajectory simulation results are provided for an example projectile with different liquid payload configurations possessing stable behavior while one exhibits catastrophic flight instability.