Using 2D Axisymmetric Flow Field Models to Capture 3D Plume-Plume Interaction Effects

Rapid simulation of threat missile plume signatures plays a critical role within the Missile Defense Agency"s (MDA) modeling and simulation framework for many applications. Fast simulation of systems utilizing vernier engines presents a challenging modeling problem because the interaction of the vernier and main engine exhaust flows produces a complex, 3D flow field. While high fidelity 3D flow field models exist, they require extensive computational resources, often days of computation time for a single flow field simulation. The challenge addressed here is to utilize much faster running axisymmetric flow field codes to capture the key 3D vernier-main interactions impacting the plume signature. To meet this challenge, we propose a novel approach, dubbed AAPPSS (Axisymmetric Approximation for Plume-Plume Signature Simulation) that involves stitching together azimuthal slices from multiple axisymmetric flow fields to capture the key 3D features of the vernier-main interaction flow field. The overall Phase I objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of the AAPPSS approach. We will develop an AAPPSS prototype and apply it to a representative vernier system. Phase II will feature development of fully functional AAPPSS software, extensive validation against field data, and delivery to MDA.