High-Performance Wingless Missile Research

Missiles in the future will fly without wings. Current Tactical AA missile systems exclusively feature aerodynamic control surfaces and suffer many performance and control problems as a result. Main chamber Bleed (MCB) "propulsive" thrust control technology offers a new approach to overcome most of the limitations of current Tactical missile control systems and meet the requirements of next-generation missile systems. A wingless missile has the lowest possible aerodynamic drag and is aerodynamically unstable which is desirable from a flight performance and maneuverability standpoint. However, to achieve its ultimate performance potential, the missile will reuire inflight stabilization. This capability is provided by the high speed MCB propulsive thrust control system which is capable of multiple (8-12) thruster output simultaneously. This enables a complement of thrusters to maintain the Wingless missile on its desired flight path while enabling other thrusters to maintain positive missile aerodynamic flight stability. This combined control capability cannot be provided by any current technology aero/TVC system. The major objective of this program is to achieve an expansive overall system performance improvement (e.g. 30%) in Tactical missile systems using Wingless missile technology. It contains three major program elements that will reuire both Phase I and Phase II to accomplish.