Tactical Missile Design at The Naval Postgraduate School

Abstract

The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.2514/6.2010-911410th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) ConferenceA Tactical Missile Track has been an available academic track at The Naval Postgraduate School for nearly three decades. The coursework associated with the track can be taken over a one-year period leading to a masters degree in Mechanical and Aerospace engineering and culminates with tactical missile design as the capstone course. The capstone design course often includes the participation of an industry representative to provide the students with a real-world “system integration” point of view and advise the students throughout the design process. The coursework leading up to the design course consists of fundamental “core” courses that apply to nearly all missile systems as well as a wide range of technical electives ranging from campaign analysis to warhead design and effectiveness. A brief history of the Tactical Missile Track is provided and details associated with the available electives are also presented and discussed to show some of the unique feature of Tactical Missile Design at The Naval Postgraduate School. Finally, examples of past design efforts are also presented