Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

"The ATR (Air TurboRocket) is an air breathing propulsion system in which the turbocompressor turbine is powered by a hot drive gas which is generated independently of the air flow through the compressor. The ATR has a lower specific impulse (Isp) and higher thrust compared to a similar size turbojet but a lower thrust and higher Isp compared to similar size solid rocket motor (SRM). This work defines the benefits of ATR propulsion for tactical vehicles.

ATR simulation codes were developed to support analysis of hypothetical ATR powered vehicles. Both turbojet powered and SRM powered vehicles were also evaluated against range and time of flight as the major evaluation criteria. This analysis required the use of an existing turbojet code, a solid rocket motor (SRM) model, an aerodynamics predictor code (DATCOM) and a two dimensional, flat earth trajectory analysis code (ZTRAJ). Two weight class vehicles (800 and 3500 lbm) launched at Mach 0.9 and 10000 feet altitude were evaluated as well as a low Mach (0.1) launch of the 800 lbm class vehicle. These vehicles, with the three propulsion system options, required nine vehicle/trajectory analyses.

The results of these analyses show that only the ATR powered vehicle is able to simultaneously meet minimum range and maximum flight time requirements. The SRM powered vehicle (because of its low Isp) only achieves about 50% of the range of the ATR powered vehicle. The turbojet powered vehicle (because of its low thrust) required more than 30% of the flight time required by the ATR powered vehicle for the same range"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Riggins, David W.

Committee Member(s)

Alofs, Darryl J.
Drallmeier, J. A.
Hilgers, Michael Gene
Isaac, Kakkattukuzhy M.
Nelson, Harlan F., 1938-2005

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Aerospace Engineering

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 1997

Pagination

xvii, 234 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 226-233).

Rights

© 1997 Kirk Le Christensen, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 7255

Print OCLC #

37456777

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