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Body-Flexure Control with Smart Actuation for Hypervelocity Missiles
Title: Vice President
Phone: (480) 945-9988
Email: pc@zonatech.com
Title: President
Phone: (480) 945-9988
Email: danny@zonatech.com
"We take advantage of the flexibility of slender missiles, rather than treating it as an undesirable feature, by using smart structure (PZT) to actuate the CKEM center-body in achieving instant bending through aeroelastic amplification. Thus, the CKEM canbe controlled effectively in hypersonic/supersonic flight without any control canards. Nor would it require mechanical actuation for hinged bent-nose control. Hence, the merit of the body-flexure PZT control CKEM design lies in its being a simpler systembut with reduced weight and enhanced maneuverability.The proof-of-concept study is overwhelmingly positive in favor of PZT-actuated body flexure control design concept. A low-power PZT control system is proven feasible for trim, and high-G maneuver control of hypervelocity CKEM configurations. Whilemaintaining stability, the CKEM smart-actuation control forces and moments can be amplified by the aeroelastic effects of an optimum aeroelastically-tailored composite structure using ASTROS* optimization. ASTROS* can also optimize sensor and PZTlocations which are necessary to achieve an ultimately effective control system design.ZONA intends to work closely with the MRDEC R&D personnel and system developers for the continuing staged-CKEM development. The phase I outcome will be a minimum weight structure and a minimum-power integrated control system design that satisfies givenperformance requirements. ZONA envisions that ASTROS* and
* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *