Missile Configuration and Design

This chapter provides an overview of the missile design process as well as the state-of-the-art (SOTA) of missile technology. Benefits of conducting missile design include definition of new advanced missile concepts, identification of the most important driving parameters, balanced subsystems, incorporation of new technologies, lighter weight, lower cost, and launch platform compatibility. Most of the material was derived from the textbook Tactical Missile Design, 2nd edition and the technical course Tactical Missile Design – Integration (http://genefleeman.home.mindspring.com/). Topics include missile transformational technologies, missile characteristics compared to other flight vehicles, missile subsystems and their layout, the missile design process, missile missions and their attributes that drive the SOTA, launch platform integration, environmental requirements, and the development/validation process. Keywords: missile; military; system; design; flight performance; airframe; aerodynamics; structure; guidance; seeker; flight control; warhead; propulsion; rocket; propellant; sizing; storage; carriage; launch; lethality; accuracy; system integration; environment; development; validation