Tube-Launched Counter-sUAS Launch Acceptability Range Simulation Tools

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Photo courtesy of Redstone Technical Test Center

Posted on June 26, 2019 | Completed on June 26, 2019 | By: Travis J. Kneen

What tools are available to determine the launch acceptability region (LAR) for a tube-launched unmanned aircraft system (UAS) given a set of flight performance characteristics?

DSIAC was asked to research the best methods to determine the LAR of a tube-launched UAS.  The inquirer was looking for the minimum acceptable range a target can be from the launcher and still allow a successful intercept given the target may come from any direction and assuming the target is flying directly toward the launcher. The ideal output would be a 3-D overlay (with the launcher at the origin), a surrounding boundary line at the minimum launch acceptability range (given a specific target velocity), and for all target bearings (from the launcher’s perspective). DSIAC staff compiled research publications on degree-of-freedom trajectory models for missiles and tube-launched UAS as possible comparable efforts, as well as introduced the inquirer to subject matter experts from the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) who were working on a similar capability for a different project. Finally, DSIAC solicited input from its user base and compiled responses for the inquirer.

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