Flight test aerodynamic drag characteristics development and assessment of in-flight propulsion analysis methods for the AGM-109 cruise missile

From the standpoint of data development, particular emphasis is placed upon the methods of in-flight thrust analysis and the determination of excess thrust for the various flight performance maneuvers conducted. Test data comparisons are conducted using three methods of in-flight thrust calculation based on altitude test cell engine calibrations. While instrumentation problems accounted for excessive test data scatter with the primary method planned for in-flight thrust calculation, average thrust values were found to be in close agreement with values obtained by each of the back-up methods. Flight test drag results are correlated with drag characteristics obtained from previous flight tests of the aerodynamically similar BGM-109 (Tomahawk) cruise missile.