The proposed program will involve the development of a Cooled Window Frame for Atmospheric Interceptor Technology (AIT). The innovations to be integrated intothe frame include: a) The ability to externally cool an IR window in extreme endo-atomospheric environments, including vehicle Yaw Angel-of-Attack, b) Improving Aero-Opticalperformances by insuring that boundary layer transition and the associated large axial gradients in turbulence do not occur over the IR aperture, and c) Developing an"Aerodynamic Fence" to help insure that Divert Thrustor combustion products do not migrate into the seeker's Field-of-Regard. Prior externally cooled windows (HEDI and AIT)have not adequately demonstrated the ability to cool the entire window, even under most favorable conditions. Adding vehicle Yaw, the occurrence of boundary layer transition on the window, and the migration of Divert Thrustor combustion products into the FoR; further complicate the ability of an IR seeker to operate in endo-atmospheric environments. InPhase I, aerothermal and CFD analyses will support a design effort to help optimize the use of coolant for Yaw mitigation and producing boundary trips-aerodynamic fences. Aprototype window frame will be fabricated. Phase II will involve test evaluation of the prototype and further improvements, optimization, and testing of cooled window frames. The Cooled Window Frame designed in the proposed Phase I Program should improve IR window cooling and IR aero-optical performance of seeker systems for hypersonicapplications.
Keywords: Ir Window,Endo-Atmospheric,Cooling,Interceptor,Computerized Fluid Dynamics
