Analog simulation of the re-entry of a ballistic missile warhead and multiple decoys

Abstract

The basic problem considered here is the computation of the reentry trajectory of a single ballistic missile warhead as well as the trajectories of a number of decoys which originate from the warhead trajectory. Suitable three dimensional equations of motion are presented for a reentry vehicle with arbitrary drag coefficient, mass, and area, and the analog computer circuit for solving these equations in real time is given. Then a method of using several such circuits to compute simultaneously the trajectories of multiple targets with variations in all three initial velocity components as well as variations in ballistic coefficient is presented.