Team 98.02 Rocket Sled

Team: Tom Bartoski Brian Bitter Brian DearolfRobert Gifford Tom Koehler

Customers: Dave Scott Advisor: Dr. Len Schwartz Jack Armstrong Aberdeen Test Center

Mission Statement: To design and build a rocket sled for testing a warhead’s effectiveness on light aircraft armor.

Approach: By gaining an understanding of missile testing and technology, we

will evaluate current techniques and apply our knowledge and creativity to design and manufacture a working prototype.

Why Rocket Sled Testing?

• A low cost method to test warhead effectiveness

• A more repeatable and controlled testing method

• A safer alternative to live fire testing

Problem Statement

• Attain speed of 800 m/s

• Release warhead from sled

• Strip sled away

Customers and Wants

Customers• Jack Armstrong• Dave Scott• ATC Testing Crew

Wants• Simulate speed• Simulate flight• Strip away sled• Simple test setup

Project Constraints

• Sled must fit L-field rails

• Use Zuni rocket motors for propulsion

• Sled must not impact target

• Cannot modify warhead

Benchmarking

Testing Facilities

• Aberdeen (APG)

• Holloman AFB

• Eglin AFB

Key Points

• Sled shoe design• High velocity• Explosive charge

for separation• Rocket motor

mounting

Quality Metrics

Velocity

Total test time

Missile impact

Sled shrapnel impact

– 800 m/s minimum

– One work day

– 90° to target

– 0% area

Concept Generation

• Pusher Sled– Two sled scheme

• Sidewinder– Side-mounted warhead

• Cannon– Explosive release

• Slingshot– Inertial release

Concept Selection

S id ewind er P usher S ledwith Exp lo s ive

P usher S led withLAW imp ulse

mo to r

Analysis

• PATRAN analysis

• Railshot FORTRAN program

• Drag coefficients from past results

• Check for fit

Prototype Components

• Launch Sled

• Powered Sled

• Zuni Rocket

• Missile & Warhead

Order of Events

• Rockets ignite

• Powered sled collides with barriers

• Electrical contact triggers LAW motor

• Missile separates from sled

• Sled collides with second set of barriers

• Missile impacts target

Budget

• Material Cost– Launch Sled.........................

– Powered Sled.......................

• Labor Costs– Machining

• Professional time............

• Student time....................

– Welding................................

• Total Cost...........................

$175

$165

$442 (15 hrs)

$500 (100 hrs)

$70 (2 hrs)

$1352

Recommendations

• Simplify front launch rod support

• Welds as opposed to bolts

• Improve aerodynamics