Numerical Prediction of Lateral Jets for Missile Like Geometries
 

Ekin Ağsarlıoğlu
Ali Akgül

Lateral (side) jet control is gaining popularity for maneuvering since it has some advantages over conventional control techniques. At lower dynamic pressure, a lateral-jet controlled missile has more capability for maneuvering than an aerodynamically-controlled missile. Another important advantage is a faster response. In this study, the effects of lateral jets on missile like geometries are investigated numerically by the commercial unstructured Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver FLUENT. Two generic missile models with side jets, experimental data of which are available in literature, are analyzed. These two models were both tested in the supersonic free-stream and the sonic jet exit conditions in wind tunnels. Model-1 has two different configurations. CFD validations for these configurations are done by comparing the calculated force amplification factor “K” and the interaction moment center ”XCPi” with the measured values. CFD validations for Model-2 are done by comparing the surface pressure coefficient data at three different roll angles with the measured data. Despite some discrepancies, the experimental data and the CFD results are in good agreement with each other for both generic missile models, As a result, a numerical methodology for solving lateral-jet controlled supersonic missile problems has been developed. This methodology can be used as a part of the lateral-jet controlled missile design.

Key words: missile, missile control, lateral jet, numerical fluid dynamics, numerical simulation.