The aerodynamics of jet thruster control for supersonic/hypersonic endo-interceptors: Lessons learned

Abstract

Nearly fifty years of flight and wind tunnel tests have shown jet thruster control for supersonic/hypersonic interceptors to be effective. It is less vulnerable to the blast environment of MX defense and less sensitive than aerodynamic controls to the lower dynamic pressures expected for higher altitude defense scenarios. Thruster control effectiveness is configuration dependent and is determined by the fluid dynamic interaction between the jet and the freestream. Factors affecting the interaction are itemized. The problem of scaling wind tunnel tests results to flight environments in a complex one. Scaling involves issues of geometric scaling, jet composition, jet/freestream chemical reactions, and wind tunnel wall interference. A methodology or process definition is called for to guide testing for new interceptor concepts. The methodology should address scalins issues and provide direction for testing/analysis approaches that should work and to those that will not for generic system configurations.