An Optimal Aerodynamic and RCS Design of a Cruise Missile

Abstract

A cruise missile uses wings and a jet engine like an airplane to reach the target after cruising a considerable distance. An integrated design of a cruise missile based on radar cross section (RCS) reduction and enhanced aerodynamic performance is indispensable, since it must be able to fly long-distance at subsonic speed without being detected by enemy radar. In this study, we designed a Taurus-type cruise missile and analyzed its RCS and aerodynamic characteristics using the physical optics (PO) technique and the Navier-Stokes CFD code. As a result, we obtained the optimal shape of cruise missile with improved aerodynamic performance and reduced RCS.