Author

Philip Hahn

Date of Award

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Robert A. Frederick Jr.

Committee Member

D. Brian Landrum

Subject(s)

Guided missiles--Interception, Air defenses

Abstract

This research examines the feasibility of a gun-launched projectile to intercept rocket, artillery and mortar threats. The interceptor is a 40mm, spin-stabilized squib-guided projectile guided by a model predictive controller. The six-degree-of-freedom model and guidance system were developed in C++. The linearized guidance model predicts the interceptor trajectory periodically during flight. The control system utilizes the linearized guidance model and a target prediction model to determine the nearest intercept. A guidance algorithm then sequences the firing of lateral squibs to remove the projected miss distance. Monte Carlo simulations that employed statistical variations in gun launch angle, projectile rotation bias, and target position error show the control system could increase the probability of intercept from 0.00 to 0.492 (up to 30 squibs) at a slant range of 1440m. Repositioning the squibs stations forward of the center of gravity along the spin axis destabilizes the control system due to excessive projectile moments.

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