Guided Artillery Trajectory Simulation Model for Determination of Required Acquisition Proximity of a Moving Target

‡This paper presents a high-fidelity trajectory model and parametric study to determine the critical distance that a precision-guided, indirect-fire, artillery round can be from a moving target when it begins its guidance algorithm to maneuver to a moving target. Determining the critical target acquisition proximity at various levels of maneuver authority is critical to the development of the projectile’s airframe and the selection of its target-seeking instruments. This paper concentrates on simulating the aeroballistic free-flight, rocket-assist, and guidance phases of the weapon’s trajectory to determine the critical target acquisition proximity for this generic mortar airframe to strike a ground vehicle traveling in all directions. For a given baseline of aerodynamic properties, this model quantifies the relationship between target acquisition proximity and maneuver authority.