Hypersonic Missile Design

Missiles provide the essential accuracy and standoff range capabilities that are of paramount importance in modern warfare. Technologies for missiles are rapidly emerging, resulting in the frequent introduction of new missile systems. The capability to meet the essential requirements for the performance, cost, risk, and launch platform integration of missile systems is driven by missile design, development, and system engineering.

World superpowers are competing in the new race to develop most effective hypersonic missiles. The question is, can hypersonic missile really hide from the increasingly sophisticated tracking surveillance technology? Is the massive investment into this technology worth the opportunity cost that could otherwise go into other pressing needs?

This 3-day course will discuss Hypersonic Missile Design and Engineering from a system-level perspective. The class will touch on hypersonic missile design, development, analysis and system engineering activities, highlighting the promising advantages of hypersonic missile, at the same time discussing the underlying limitation that this technology may bring.

Over 90 videos illustrate hypersonic missile development activities and performance. Problem reviews are provided at the end of each chapter. Attendees participate in a daily roundtable discussion. Attendees vote on the emphasis of the course topics.

The course is oriented toward the needs of missile engineers, system engineers, system analysts, marketing personnel, program managers, university professors, and others working with missile systems and missile technology development. 

Attendees will gain an essential understanding of hypersonic missile design and engineering:

Drivers for Hypersonic Missile Design, Development, and System Engineering

Conceptual Design Criteria for Hypersonic Missiles

Hypersonic Missile Configuration Design/Sizing Prediction of

Aerodynamics

Propulsion

Weight

Flight Performance/FlightTrajectory

Other Measures of Merit Sizing/Prediction, Including

                   Missile Seeker Performance

                   Guidance Accuracy

                    Warhead Lethality

                    Observables

                   Cost

System Engineering/Integration with Launch Platform and Fire Control System

Development Process for Hypersonic Missile System and Technologies

Introduction – Drivers  in Hypersonic Missile Design

• Overview of Process for Hypersonic Missile Design, Development, and System Engineering
  • Hypersonic Missile Characteristics, State-of-the-Art, and Configuration Sizing Parameters
  • Overview of System-of-Systems Integration

Aerodynamic Considerations in Hypersonic Missile Design

• Aerodynamic Conceptual Design Prediction Methods Missile
• Aerodynamic Design and System Engineering Tradeoffs
  • Flight Control and Maneuver Law Alternatives
  • New Technologies for Missile Aerodynamics

 Propulsion Considerations in Hypersonic Missile Design

• Conceptual Design Prediction Methods for
  • Ramjet Propulsion
  • Solid  Propellant Rocket Propulsion
  • Ducted Rocket
• Missile Propulsion Design and System Engineering Tradeoffs
• New Technologies for Missile Propulsion

Weight Considerations in Hypersonic Missile Design

• Conceptual Design Methods for Predicting Missile Weight
• Missile Airframe Manufacturing Processes
  • Design and System Engineering Tradeoffs That Impact Missile Weight
  • New Technologies for Missile Weight Reduction

 Flight Performance Considerations in Hypersonic Missile Design

• Conceptual Design Methods for Predicting Missile
  • Flight Range
  • Velocity
  • Time-to-Target
  • Off-Boresight
• Equations   of Motion and Drivers for Flight Performance
• Alternative Flight Trajectories
• Role of Flight Performance in the Missile Design, Development, and System Engineering Process

Other Measures of Merit Considerations in Hypersonic Missile Design

• Most Important Measures of Merit
• Conceptual Design Methods for
  • Robustness
  • Lethality
  • Accuracy
  • Observables Survivability/Safety
  • Reliability
  • Cost
• Launch Platform/Fire Control Integration Considerations
• Environmental Requirements

Missile Sizing Examples and Sizing Tools

• Sizing Rocket and Ramjet Baseline Missiles to Meet Flight Performance Requirements
• Computer-Aided Conceptual Design Tools and Verification Process

Missile Development Process

• Missile Development Activities/Facilities/Funding/Time Frame
• Missile History/Follow-on Programs
• Missile Cost, Risk, and Performance Tradeoffs
• New Technologies for Missiles

Lessons Learned Based on Career in Missile Design, Development, and System Engineering

Summary

References, Bibliography Appendices

• Chapter Problem Reviews
• Homework Problems
• Example of Request for Proposal
• Nomenclature
• Acronyms
• Conversion Factors
• Syllabus
• Quizzes
• Design Case Studies TMD Spreadsheet
• Soda Straw Rocket Science

Eugene L. Fleeman has 50+. years of government, industry, academia, and consulting experience in the design and development of missile systems. Formerly a manager of missile programs at the US Air Force Research Laboratory, Rockwell International, Boeing, and Georgia Tech, he is an international lecturer on missiles and the author of 200+. publications, including three textbooks. Since the year 1999 his short course has been held over 100 times in fifteen countries and five continents.

Gene's extensive experiences on missiles were built from his involvement with Georgia Tech, Boeing, Rockwell International, and USAF Flight Dynamics Laboratory.