Missile Propulsion

1. Introduction/Drivers in Missile Propulsion Design: Example of missile subsystem packaging to maximize volume for propulsion. Overview of missile propulsion design, development, and system engineering process. Examples of missile propulsion system-of-systems integration. Unique characteristics of propulsion for missiles. Missile conceptual design synthesis process. Example of process to establish propulsion requirements. Example of Pareto sensitivity analysis of missile propulsion. Use of a baseline propulsion system to expedite the propulsion design process.
2. Aerodynamic Considerations in Missile Propulsion: Optimizing the missile configuration geometry for propulsion integration. Shapes for low observable propulsion. Missile aerodynamic configuration integration with the propulsion system. Aerodynamic flight control versus propulsion thrust vector and reaction jet flight control. Inlet alternatives for bank-to-turn maneuvering.
3. Propulsion Considerations in Missile Design, Development, and System Engineering: Turbojet, ramjet, scramjet, ducted rocket, and solid propellant rocket propulsion comparisons. Turbojet engine design considerations, prediction and sizing. Advanced turbine materials. Compressor alternatives and performance prediction. Inlet-launch platform integration. Selecting ramjet engine, booster, and inlet alternatives. Ramjet performance prediction and sizing. Ramjet performance limitations. High density fuels. Solid propellant rocket motor performance prediction. Solid propellant rocket motor design tradeoffs. Solid propellant rocket motor manufacturing. Solid propellant alternatives and trade-offs. Propellant grain cross-section trade-offs. Effective thrust magnitude control. Reducing propellant observables. Rocket motor aging and lifetime prediction. Rocket motor pressure oscillation and combustion instability. Rocket motor case and nozzle materials. Ducted rocket performance prediction. Ducted rocket design tradeoffs.
4. Weight Considerations in Missile Propulsion: How to size the propulsion system to meet flight performance requirements. Propulsion weight-flight performance sensitivity. Ballistic missile range prediction. Propulsion design criteria factor of safety. Selecting propulsion structure materials. Loads prediction. Propulsion weight prediction and rocket motor case design. Aerodynamic heating prediction. Insulation material trades. Missile power supply alternatives and sizing.
5. Flight Performance Considerations in Missile Propulsion: Missile flight performance sizing-equations of motion. Maximizing missile flight performance. Benefits of boost-glide flight trajectory shaping. Impact of propulsion on flight performance prediction of boost, climb, cruise, descent, ballistic, maneuvering, and divert flight.
6. Other Measures of Merit and Launch Platform Integration Considerations in Missile Propulsion: Optimum cruise conditions for air-breathing propulsion. Electromagnetic compatibility. Launch plume observables. Radar cross-section and infrared signature design considerations. Survivability considerations. Signature test requirements. Insensitive munitions. Enhanced reliability. Cost drivers including schedule, weight, learning curve, and parts count. Logistics considerations. Launch platform constraints. Launch platform integration problems. Standard launch platform interfaces and launchers. Internal vs. external carriage. Shipping, storage, carriage, launch, and separation environment considerations. Cold and solar environment temperature prediction.
7. Missile Propulsion Sizing Examples and Sizing Tools: Rocket baseline missile sizing to meet standoff range requirement. Trade-offs for a harmonized rocket design. Lofted rocket range prediction. Ramjet baseline missile sizing for range robustness. Ramjet fuel alternatives. Ramjet velocity control. Turbojet baseline missile thrust and specific impulse prediction. Turbojet baseline missile low altitude range prediction. Turbojet baseline missile sizing for maximum range. Prediction of turbojet engine rotational speed. Turbojet baseline missile booster performance prediction. Conceptual design sizing tools. Design of a small air rocket. Pareto and uncertainty analysis for conceptual design. House of quality for conceptual design. Design of experiments for conceptual design. Each attendee will design, build, and fly a small air rocket in a design, build, and fly competition.
8. Missile Propulsion Development Process: Design validation/technology development process. Examples of development tests and facilities. Example of propulsion technology flight demonstration and flight envelope. Flight test requirements. Developing a technology roadmap. Propulsion development program attributes. Cost, risk, and performance tradeoffs. History of transformational technologies. History of propulsion upgrades. Current funding emphasis. Propulsion contractor consolidations. Example of propulsion technology development.New technologies for missile propulsion.
9. Some Lessons Learned
10. Summary
11. References and Follow-up Communication
12. Appendices: Problem Reviews, Homework Problems, Example of Request for Proposal, Nomenclature, Acronyms, Conversion Factors, Syllabus, Quizzes, Design Case Studies, TMD Spreadsheet, Soda Straw Rocket Science.

Course notes will be made available a few days prior to the course event. You will receive an email with detailed instructions on how to access your course notes. Since course notes will not be distributed on site, AIAA and your course instructor highly recommend that you bring your computer with the course notes already downloaded to the course. 

The instructor’s textbook Missile Design and System Engineering (Fleeman, AIAA, 2012) will be provided on-site as part of the course registration.

Eugene L. Fleeman has 50+ years of government, industry, academia, and consulting experience in the design, development, and system engineering of missiles. Formerly a manager of missile programs at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Rockwell International, Boeing, and Georgia Tech, he is an international lecturer on missiles and the author of 200+ publications including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) textbook Missile Design and System Engineering. A resume is available here.