[AR] Re: Turning after launch
- From: Ed LeBouthillier <codemonky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, Arocket List <arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:34:43 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Although most any modern SAM won't fly directly at the target, unless the
range is very short (or the guidance system is old and stupid). Even with
winged missiles, you usually get longer range if the missile climbs into a
semi-ballistic trajectory that comes *down* onto the target. (There is
also a tactical bonus: even alert pilots tend to keep a much sharper
watch for missiles coming up at them from below, so coming down from above
is rather more likely to take the pilot by surprise.)
Understood. I was simplifying it a bit. More truthfully, the fire control
system computes a trajectory that the vehicle should be on to appropriately
close with the target (which might be a slightly lofted trajectory).
Obviously, since the missile is in its launch container, it doesn't actually
sense where the target is.
The vertical launch system launches the rocket nearly vertically and the rocket
then must get onto the trajectory calculated by the fire control system. This
is the quick turn you see.
The missile originally starts downrange on the trajectory that the fire control
system computed and then begins taking control of its own trajectory as it
integrates data about the target from its own sensors.
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