You are here

Novel Fragment Aerodynamic Models over Entire Velocity and Altitude Range

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Missile Defense Agency
Contract: W9113M-08-C-0104
Agency Tracking Number: B073-016-0189
Amount: $99,872.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: MDA07-016
Solicitation Number: 2007.3
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2008
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2008-02-13
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-08-13
Small Business Information
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810
United States
DUNS: 073800062
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Hartmut Legner
 Principal Research Scientist
 (978) 689-0003
 legner@psicorp.com
Business Contact
 B. Green
Title: President, R&D Operations
Phone: (989) 689-0003
Email: green@psicorp.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

A novel method is proposed to model the aerodynamic lift and drag coefficients for complex fragment shapes resulting from the impact of Missile Defense Agency (MDA) interceptors with target vehicles. The force coefficients are needed for the entire spectrum of flight velocities and impact altitudes ranging from low-earth orbit to near-ground. Our Phase I approach considers a high altitude model (LEO to 45 km) and a low altitude model (45 km to 0 km). In the upper high altitude region we build upon previously successful models and bridge the free molecular regime and the continuum regime with truly unique functions derived from actual re-entry flight data. In the lower altitude region, we model the individual fragments with separate flow models for each region (subsonic, transonic, supersonic, hypersonic) while distinguishing the methods further by laminar or turbulent shear flow and by low or high angle of attack. The analysis will be guided by perturbations of generic shapes such as spheres, cylinders, plates, and needles in order to make use of existing data bases. The Phase II will emphasize the generation of coefficients as well as experimental and CFD validation and actual debris field simulations.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government