Modular digital missile guidance, phase 3

This report presents the results of the third phase of a study to investigate the feasibility of modular digital guidance and control systems for air-to-air missile applications. The studies involved the analysis of functions for digital implementation in all classes of air-to-air missiles and the derivation of computer requirements in terms of throughput memory, architectural features, modularity and compatible software characteristics. Phase III validated the performance and effectiveness of the macromodular microcomputer family defined in Phase II, on an individual module basis; as whole microcomputers; and as federated microcomputer systems applied to specific generic missile types, using digital simulation techniques. In summary, the studies have shown that modular digital guidance and control is both feasible and effective in improving missile performance and flexibility to counteract changing threat situations and advancing technology. Using a common microcomputer bus interface, (microbus), a family of fourteen microcomputer macromodules, in various configurations, will support the entire range of air-to-air missile functions. Further, the Navy standard electronic module (SEM), in either SEM-1A or SEM-2A configurations, provides a practical means of packaging the macromodules and maintaining the standard microbus interface.