Missiles Propulsion?

[Ightenhill]

Is it an error or am I misunderstanding how missiles are propelled once launched..

 

It seems on Launch that I see an exhaust and the propulsion from the rear

 

 

But after a few seconds it changes to this!

 

[GGTharos]

I may not recall correctly, but initially there's a charge to propel the missile out of the tube, then the rocket motor lights at a safe distance from the heli.

[EtherealN]

If I recall correctly, the initial is the thrust motor - gives the missile it's velocity. The second is for rotation and maneuver to keep within the laser beam.

[26-J39]

Very unique missile.. i like... :gun_smilie:

[Case]

Vikhrs are targeted by flying through a laser beam. Hence, the missile has a sensor at the back that measures how it is positioned in the beam. Because of this, the rocket motor cannot also be at the back of the missile.

[Ightenhill]

Thanks for the info

 

Where does the exhaust for the (secondary)propulsion come from though as it seems to be halfway along the missile, are there two smaller systems which fire from the sides?

[Case]

Yes, it appears these give it some forward velocity but also let the missile spiral towards the target. These rocket motors might be used for targetting, but perhaps the vanes at the end do so to.

[miguez]

I'm not sure the side rockets are there for directional control. According to Wikipedia, "Fixed fins cause the missile to spin in flight and a single moving control surface adjust its course during this rotation."

[Boulund]

Yeah. I'm of the idea that there might be some initial propulsion to get them out of the launch tube, but then the side-vents propel the rocket and navigation (spiraling) is done with the use of small control vanes/fins on the rocket ? Then I guess the targeting is very much like the swedish army's Robot70 (RBS70) laser beam riding AA-system.

Interesting topic!