The AeroSolve analysis software allows the test engineer to specify which aerodynamic parameters to include or exclude from the modeling process and which dynamic model (earth- or bodyfixed) to employ. The engineer can also filter the experimental data by Mach number, angle of attack, and/or signal-to-noise ratio. Another AeroSolve system feature allows the engineer to simultaneously analyze multiple projectile tests to increase the density of data and enable a statistical averaging of data obtained from repeated tests with identical nominal firing conditions. In addition, the engineer has a variety of choices for plotting the experimental data or rapidly processing it via automatic analysis routines.

To validate the AeroSolve software package, Dr. Abate’s team used synthetic data generated by a six-degrees-offreedom trajectory simulation. With this data serving as input values, AeroSolve was able to successfully determine the aeroballistic coefficients used to create the simulation. To test the stability of the AeroSolve solution methods, the scientists deliberately corrupted the synthetic data by introducing modest levels of Gaussian error. AeroSolve was able to calculate the aeroballistic parameters from the corrupt data, albeit with greater levels of parameter uncertainty.

Dr. Gregg Abate, of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Munitions Directorate, wrote this article. For more information, contact TECH CONNECT at (800) 203-6451 or place a request at http://www.afrl.af.mil/techconn/index.htm. Reference document MN-H-05-03.