A fresh look at the free flight dynamics of a spinning projectile

Abstract

In the first part of the paper, several equations of motion by different groups of workers are critically examined. Exact equations of motion are then developed. This form is then quasi-linearised into a ballistic formulation. The geometrical motion of a spinning projectile, in the presence of a cubic restoring moment is analysed in the cross-flow plane. It is observed that the trajectories assume a cuspidal form at the lower and upper range of the travel, when the angular momentum parameter coincides with these points. In general, both steady and unsteady precessional motions are presented. © 1988 Indian Academy of Sciences.