Very Low Cost Expendable Harassment System Design Study. Volume 3

Abstract : The basic result of the airframe design and analysis is that this configuration is indeed suitable for the class of vehicle presented. All significant design goals are met, all operating constraints are satisfied, and most listed desirable characteristics are included. The concept of a low-cost airframe common to both Type I and II vehicles is realistic. It seems unlikely that any real cost-saving can be had by constructing different airframes for each of the two types. There are some difficulties, however. The bulk of a 126- pound vehicle indicates that there may be ground-handling problems using a two- man crew. The solution might be to add the 23 pounds of fuel while the vehicle sits on the launcher. This impacts launch rate, but it eliminates the need for a handling cart or costly weight reduction program. The performance (and therefore fuel) estimates are based on questionable data for both fuel consumption and power output of the McCulloch MC 101 engine. The data used is reasonable; but it is clear, from many runs of DESIGN, that the fuel weight and other parameters are sensitive to engine performance. The aircraft structure presented here is the simplest scheme that seems realistic.