Improved deployment characteristics of a tether-connected munition system

This study investigates the effect of a tether reel resistance mechanism in tended to improve the unreeling process of a tether line connected to two p rojectiles comprising a munition system. The munition system considered is released from an aircraft at altitude and falls toward a target on the grou nd. Reel resistance models, based on feasible mechanisms. are generated as functions of drop speed, projectile mass. drag coefficient ratio, and tethe r line stiffness, Reel configurations are determined to decrease tether lin e loads, maximum acceleration on the follower projectile. time to reach a s teady-state condition, and terminal miss distance. Reel resistance based on either the tether line pay out or the tether pay out rate provides a power ful means to improve system performance, Resistance as a function of tether line pay out yields the overall best performance; however, resistance base d on tether line pay out rate provides suitable performance over a wider ba nd of drop speeds, mass ratios, and drag coefficient ratios.