Experimental and numerical research of the influence of thrust vector control on the missile aerodynamics by cold and hot jet simulations

Abstract

The flow field phenomena that occur as a result of thrust vector control (TVC) system activity on a missile with lateral jets are very complex and influence all other components of the missile. Influence is more significant when TVC is generating commands, when jets are asymmetrically directed. The main goal of these study was to determine the influence of of the hot rocket motor's combustion products on the basis of the CFD model proven with the cold-jet simulation. Based on obtained experimental aerodynamic coefficients for the cold-jet simulation the preliminary aerodynamic CFD model was designed. Three-dimensional Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes numerical aerodynamic and hot-jet simulations were carried out to predict the aerodynamic loads of the missile based on the finite volume method. The study resulted in the definition of a methodology for the investigation of the jet reaction effects in a wind tunnel. A method for determining of the TVC system interference on the aerodynamic characteristics, as a basic prerequisite for structural, stability and performance analysis, was proposed. Mutual verification and validation process was carried out through experiment and proper application of the commercial CFD software code for calculation aerodynamic effects of the hot gases lateral jets on the performance of a guided missile. Experimental and computational results of the pitching moment coefficients are presented and agreed well with.