OPTIMAL AIRFRAME (HEATSHIELD AND SUBSTRUCTURE) DESIGN FOR A SMALLER BALLISTIC REENTRY VEHICLE

THIS PHASE I SBIR EFFORT'S OBJECTIVES (1) ARE TO DEVELOP ONE OR MORE PRELIMINARY DESIGN(S) FOR AN OPTIMAL AIRFRAME (HEATSHIELD AND SUBSTRUTURE) FOR A NEW, SMALLER BALLISTIC REENTRY VEHICLE (BRV) CARRYING A 50-200 KILOTON WARHEAT, FOR USE ON ICBMS, AND (2) PLAN THE PROGRAM AND PREPARE COST AND SCHEDULE ESTIMATES FOR THE PHASE II SBIR PROGRAM FOLLOW-ON DETAILED DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT WORK. IT'S SCOPE INCLUDES ESTABLISHING LIMITING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ENVELOPES FOR BRV DESIGN; ESTABLISHING REENTRY REQUIREMENTS; SYNTHESIZING RV DESIGNS; DETERMINING AERODYNAMIC LOADS, AEROHEATING, AND THERMAL RESPONSE; SIZING SUBSTRUCTURES AND AIRFRAME; AND PLANNING THE PHASE II SBIR PROGRAM.