Allyn@uunet.UU.NET (01/23/91)
From: <ames!ames!claris!portal!cup.portal.com!Allyn@uunet.UU.NET> I've been watching footage of Tomahawks being launched from the Wisconsin. I notice that initially when the missile leaves the launcher it sort of does a "tail slide" towards the vertical. Anyone know the reason for this behavior? Allyn Lai allyn@cup.portal.com
zimerman@phoenix.princeton.edu (Jacob Ben-david Zimmerman) (01/24/91)
From: zimerman@phoenix.princeton.edu (Jacob Ben-david Zimmerman) In article <1991Jan23.034017.1996@cbnews.att.com> ames!ames!claris!portal!cup.portal.com!Allyn@uunet.UU.NET writes: >I've been watching footage of Tomahawks being launched from the >Wisconsin. I notice that initially when the missile leaves the >launcher it sort of does a "tail slide" towards the vertical. >Anyone know the reason for this behavior? > I would speculate that since the missile is quite heavy, and its wings are not yet deployed at launch, the booster isn't powerful enough to provide acceleration needed to counteract gravity while still at launch angle...I don't know if that made sense, let me try again. It seems that it is done to support the missile during the first few seconds of launch, when it is travelling slowly and the wings aren't out. Maybe the CG of the missile is a little far forward for a flatter launch? >Allyn Lai >allyn@cup.portal.com ___________ |-In Washington, undercover DEA agents trick mayor || | Marion Barry into licking a toad. -Dave Barry || ||acob Zimmerman!+> <zimerman@phoenix.Princeton.EDU> INTERNET === | <zimerman@PUCC> BITnet
mr10+@andrew.cmu.edu (Michael Reed) (01/25/91)
From: Michael Reed <mr10+@andrew.cmu.edu> I'm pretty sure the reason for this is that the missile has not built up any appreciable velocity for a few seconds. It has to stay in the air, so the angle of thrust for the first seconds are more vertical. As more horizontal speed is built up, the missile can tilt, as fins have more effect the faster the missile goes. Lestrade "Do not come to this University." mr10+@andrew.cmu.edu R746MR10@VB.CC.CMU.EDU
martin%nosun.uucp@RELAY.CS.NET (Martin Golding) (01/27/91)
From: Martin Golding <adpplz!pdxgate!martin%nosun.uucp@RELAY.CS.NET> In <1991Jan23.034017.1996@cbnews.att.com> ames!ames!claris!portal!cup.portal.com!Allyn@uunet.UU.NET writes: |I've been watching footage of Tomahawks being launched from the |Wisconsin. I notice that initially when the missile leaves the |launcher it sort of does a "tail slide" towards the vertical. |Anyone know the reason for this behavior? Look close: no wings!