Determination of optimal firing intervals in multiple rocket launcher

Abstract

A computer simulation program is developed for the purpose of determination of the optimal firing intervals in multiple rocket launcher systems to increase the accuracy of free flight rockets and to stabilize rocket launching systems. With the maximum target error of rocket being the objective quantity to be minimized, a simulation program is applied to the 6" and 8.5" rocket launching systems. Optimal firing intervals provide the launcher with the ability to reduce impact dispersion caused by rocket thrust misalignment, mass unbalance, exhaust impingement force and detent force, etc. The maximum target errors with the conventional uniform firing intervals are one and half, and three times as large as the optimum cases for the 6" and the 8.5" rocket launching systems, respectively.