Advanced Cooling Approach for an Aerodynamically Heated Weapon Radome

ABSTRACT: A new generation of supersonic weapons will operate at Mach 3-6. Current infrared window materials are unable to withstand the heat generated and temperatures associated with hypersonic flight. In Phase I, Mainstream developed an advanced cooling technology capable of reducing the temperature of an infrared window while minimizing optical distortion. At the completion of the Phase I effort, Mainstream will have completed a computational design of the cooling approach as well as an experimental evaluation of a subscale prototype. In Phase II, Mainstream plans to perform wind tunnel experiments on a full scale prototype based on the results of the Phase I. This ambitious effort will be accomplished by leveraging Mainstream"s extensive experience in high heat flux cooling and the development of robust military-systems. BENEFIT: Without the development of advanced cooling strategies for high-speed weapon radomes, missile performance improvements will be halted. With the advanced cooling approach developed through this effort, Mainstream will have a technology capable of mitigating the issues that come from aerodynamic heating in the next generation of advanced spacecraft and weaponry.