Smart Projectile

The objective of the project is to create a scale model of a projectile with an articulating nose cone and deflectable fins for subsonic wind tunnel testing.

While projectile technology has advanced significantly since the second World War, the U.S. military still seeks ways to improve the projectile’s accuracy. One approach that is of particular interest is the use of an actuating nose cone. This means the nose cone can move from its fixed position. Doing this allows the missile to change direction which improves its accuracy. To explore this, the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP) has tasked the team with creating a model of a projectile with such a nose cone. Most large projectiles today have actuating fins, but no operational projectiles have an actuating nose cone. Therefore, this method needs to be researched. Our model still includes actuating fins to study the aerodynamic effect of the actuating nose cone on fin control. Ideally, combining an actuating nose cone with actuating fins will allow a greater improvement in flight accuracy when compared to the more basic alternatives. The fins are designed to attach to the model with up to 30 degrees of actuation for each fin. The nose cone is designed with up to 5 degrees of actuation. Because the real-world projectile will travel at such high speeds, this actuation must happen quickly. If it does not, there will be unwanted changes in the missile’s trajectory. Therefore, both the nose and fins are designed to actuate in less than 0.5 seconds. The model will be tested in a low-speed wind tunnel at FCAAP to understand the effects of the nose cone and fins. To control both components, stepper and Servo motors located inside the body of the model will be wired to a control device outside the tunnel. The nose cone and fins will move to various positions during testing, and data will be gathered to determine their effect on lift, drag, moment, and pressure coefficients.