A Flame Attenuation Analysis Using State-of-the-Art Millimeter Techniques

Maintaining reliable guidance links between inflight missiles and ground-based radar or radio guidance equipment is a problem becoming more difficult with advanced system concepts and electromagnetic environment complexity. A major difficulty encountered is signal loss caused by the ionization characteristics of the rocket motor exhaust (plasma), particularly for advanced propellants. This article summarizes briefly the present state-of-the-art in millimeter technology, particularly as it may relate to exhaust plume studies, and describes initial efforts expended in the investigation of millimeter wave techniques with application to plume diagnostics.