The analytical analysis of a single point suspension technique for predicting missile thrust malalignment

The lateral perturbing forces due to thrust malalignment can significantly affect the flight characteristics of a missile. Past attempts to predict thrust malalignment have not proven successful. This report proposes a new method for making valid measurements of the malalignment phenomena through the use of a single point tethered missile technique. The equations of motion for the missile in the test device are developed, coded into a computer and tested against well known exact analytical solutions for motion about a point. The mass, inertia and thrust equations for a typical test missile are then coded into the computer and the resultant motion paths are simulated for various initial spin rates and degrees of thrust malalignment. Analysis of the collected data indicates that the tethered technique is a viable solution for predicting thrust malalignment.