Optimum design of transitions in climb/cruise/descent for hypersonic cruise vehicles

A simple and efficient performance analysis and optimization method is developed for finding optimum flight-path trajectories between fixed endpoints. A methodology based on the energy method is derived for optimizing transitions between climb/cruise and cruise/descent for a hypersonic reconnaissance vehicle (Mach 6). Powered hypersonic flight produces some unique performance characteristics for which the methodology satisfies mission, flight, and vehicle-related design requirements and constraints. The transitions are optimized for minimum fuel burned between end points. Results from the optimization study on transitional trajectories are presented to illustrated the methodology.