Doctoral Degrees (Chemistry and Polymer Science)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Chemistry and Polymer Science) by Subject "Aerospace engineering"

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    Decoy systems simulating jet aircraft plume emissions and strategies for suppression of emissions from missile plumes
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1997-03) Lombard, Johan Francois; Engelbrecht, W. J.; Sanderson, R. D.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Chemistry & Polymer Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study covers the development of technology to be able to manufacture a flare that can lure a modem state-of-the-art heat-seeking missile. Consequently it was necessary to characterize the exhaust plumes of certain fighter aircraft. This characterization involved the spectral analyses of the aircraft plume emission over the entire infrared region. The important influence that shock heating of C02 and N2 in the Mach discs of the plume has on theinfrared spectral emission, has been realised. Since shock heating is absent in normal flare designs, the effect of shock heating was simulated by chemical manipulations of the flare composition. This resulted in a flare which simulated the infrared emission spectrum of a jet aircraft plume. The inadequacy of the existing operational flare has been demonstrated by spectral analysis. It has also been established that the pyrotechnical composition of this flare is such that it cannot be manipulated to successfully simulate an aircraft plume. Secondly, the plumes of rocket motors were characterized. The propellant samples of these motors were specially selected to be representative of currently used and nearly qualified propulsion systems. This study not only involved the infrared and ultraviolet emissions of the plumes, but also at 30Hz in the RADAR region regarding transmission and RADAR cross-section measurements. The results of this study can be applied in the stealth environments of modem rockets and missiles. This technology can also be used in an in-flight identifying (friend or foe) role with respect to aircraft and missiles.