• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2018

Downwash from helicopter rotor blades and external winds from various maneuvering make an unguided rocket change its trajectory and range. For the prediction of the trajectory and range, it is essential to consider the downwash effect. In this study, an algorithm was developed to calculate 6-Degree-Of-Freedom(6 DOF) forces and moments exerting on the rocket, and total flight trajectory of a 2.75-inch unguided rocket in a helicopter downwash flow field. Using Actuator Disk Model(ADM) analysis result, the algorithm could analyze the entire trajectory in various initial launch condition such as launch angle, launch velocity, and external wind. The algorithm that considered the interference between a fuselage and external winds could predict the trajectory change more precisely than inflow model analysis. Using the developed algorithm, the attitude and trajectory change mechanism by the downwash effect were investigated analyzing the effective angle of attack change and characteristics of pitching stability of the unguided rocket. Also, the trajectory and range changes were analyzed by considering the downwash effect with external winds. As a result, it was concluded that the key factors of the rocket range change were downwash area and magnitude which effect on the rocket, and the secondary factors were the dynamic pressure of the rocket and the interference between a fuselage and external winds. In tailwind case which was much influential on the range characteristics than other wind cases, the range of the rocket rose as increasing the tailwind velocity. However, there was a limit that the range of the rocket did not increase more than the specific tailwind velocity.