Missile Explosion Simulation

Missile propellant systems are not designed to explode. However, prototype missiles may require a range destruct command for safety reasons or even explode due to some malfunction. Digital computer simulations of missile explosions were run to provide an estimate of physical parameters which an Explosion Measurement System must measure. The computer simulations were run using the Naval Ordnance Laboratory WUNDY hydrodynamic computer code (program) reported on herein as well as with a two dimensional code. After an explosion the remotely measured data are used to determine inputs to the hydrodynamic computer code. Iterative methods are then used to fit data points currently capable of measurement and to provide values for other quantities not directly measurable. Results include shock wave position as well as static pressure, dynamic pressure, particle velocity, temperature, density, and energy as functions of both elapsed time and distance from the center of the explosion. The initial calculations were made to provide good estimates of the magnitude and rate of change of physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, density, velocity, etc., which were to be remotely measured. During the course of the study it was determined that such a digital computer simulation is also a valuable tool for post incident analysis