Low Cost Aerodynamic Control Surfaces for Compressed Weapon Carriage

This program provides an approach to identify and evaluate innovative concepts of low cost aerodynamic control surfaces for compressed weapon carriage for both air-to-surface and air-to-air weapon system. In the early stages of the program we will assess the dynamic environment and develop a set of goals/requirements for subsonic and supersonic compressed weapon carriage systems. The goal is a compact configuration where many low drag stores can be carried within a volume constrained weapons bay, on pylon mountings, or housed within a low profile under wing conformal pod. Trade off analyses will be performed on analyzing and defining the folding mechanism design for control surfaces and fixed wings and surveying the types of materials best suited for each design. Preliminary studies have shown that potential folding mechanism concepts exist which not only satisfy the requirements for compressed volume carriage, but also offer substantial potential missile performance improvements in terms of standoff range and terminal accuracy. These potential system level performance improvements will be a consideration during the conceptual trade studies, in addition to the folding mechanism design requirements. The final result will be a preliminary design for both fixed and control surfaces for subsonic and supersonic compressed weapon carriage systems providing extremely low parasitic drag performance.