Reaction Jets for Highly Maneuverable Hypersonic Weapon Systems and Improved Seeker Window Survivability

Hypersonic strike and endo-atmospheric interceptors and weapons will face a challenging optical environment for onboard electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) seekers due to problems related to heating/survivability of seeker windows and aero-optical effects. The success of such weapons in acquiring and tracking their targets strongly depends on achieving a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio for robust flyout.  In addition to avoiding these “sensor blinding” effects, any onboard seeker must first be configured such that heating levels are controlled for the survivability of the (often relatively delicate) optically transparent window material, and second, must contend with potentially large aero-optical effects in a turbulent boundary layer environment. The goal of this project is to adapt Spectral Energies’ control jet technologies to improve (cool) the window/sensor thermal environment, reduce aero-optic effects, and maneuver the hypersonic weapon system at high-speed.