Separable Missile Fairing for Terminal Agility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing missile designs face performance penalties due to the residual mass of localised protective fairings, which are heavy and hinder agility during terminal flight, as they require additional thermal protection for uncovered parts and have mass from hinges or shell articulations.
Innovation Solution
A separable, encompassing protective fairing that surrounds the terminal vehicle and connects via articulated elements beyond the rear end, minimizing residual mass by integrating protection and articulation with the missile's connecting parts, and incorporating internal pressure regulation, support elements, and shear force absorption systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a localised protective fairing is used to protect the terminal vehicle, then thermal protection is provided for the terminal vehicle, but residual mass remains on the terminal vehicle which hinders agility during terminal flight
Solution Approach 1:
The protective fairing is divided into multiple separable shells (first shell, second shell) that can be independently jettisoned. The first shell is discarded after providing thermal protection during ascent, and the second shell is discarded before terminal flight, eliminating residual mass while maintaining protection when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing shells are designed to be discarded at appropriate stages of flight when their protective function is no longer needed. The first shell is jettisoned after initial thermal protection is required, and the second shell is jettisoned before terminal flight, recovering mass that would otherwise hinder terminal vehicle agility
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heavy protective fairing with hinges and shell articulations is used to provide comprehensive protection, then thermal protection is improved, but device complexity and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing is segmented into multiple independent shells connected by simple articulations rather than a complex single-piece structure with multiple hinges. This segmentation allows each shell to be independently managed and jettisoned, reducing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having complex hinges connecting multiple fairing segments to the terminal vehicle, the articulations connect the fairing shells to each other in sequence, with the last shell connecting to the vehicle. This inversion simplifies the connection architecture and reduces the number of complex hinge mechanisms required
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an encompassing protective fairing is used to surround the terminal vehicle, then comprehensive thermal protection is provided, but mass from the fairing structure reduces agility during terminal flight
Solution Approach 1:
The encompassing fairing is divided into multiple shells that can be sequentially jettisoned. This allows the vehicle to maintain comprehensive protection during ascent while eliminating all fairing mass before terminal flight, ensuring maximum agility when speed and maneuverability are critical
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing shells are jettisoned in advance of the terminal flight phase, performing the mass removal action beforehand. The first shell is discarded after initial ascent, and the second shell is discarded before terminal flight begins, ensuring the terminal vehicle is lightweight and agile when high speed and agility are required
Data Source
AI summary
The missile comprises at least one separable propulsion stage and a terminal vehicle arranged to the front of the separable propulsion stage, said missile being provided at the front with a separable protective fairing comprising at least two individual shells and with a connecting part connected to the missile towards the rear beyond the position of the rear end of the terminal vehicle. The protective fairing is configured such that, when mounted on the missile, it surrounds all of the terminal vehicle and it is connected at the rear end to the connecting part by means of articulated connecting elements.