Dynamics of flexible missile/launcher systems

Mathematical models of missile/launcher systems are developed which include the flexibility of the multibody launcher structure and the missile(s) within it. The flexibility of each component body is modeled using mode shapes obtained either analytically, or by using finite element methods, depending upon the complexity of each body. The effects of the dynamic interaction of a flexible, or rigid, body moving on a second flexible body is included in the analysis. Numerical results, obtained using a digital simulation based on the model, are presented for two examples. The first is a relatively simple one dealing with a first a rigid and then a flexible body which is moving on a slender, flexible, cantilevered beam. The second involves a flexible missile moving within a flexible pod which is attached to a relatively massive rigid base.