Optimization of weapon launching time series for small surface vessels

  Objectives  As an important fire strike platform, the small surface vessel has broad development prospects. It is necessary to reduce the motion response of small surface vessels to weapon launching through the launching strategy, and to complete continuous launching as quickly as possible.

  Methods  Based on the linear rolling model and theorem of angular momentum, the mathematical model of a weapon launching process is established, and an optimization method is used to obtain the time series of the fastest weapon launch that satisfies the motion constraints.

  Results  It is shown that the optimized time series of a weapon launch can minimize the total launch time while satisfying the requirements of the maximum rolling angle. The costs related to the launching time of optimized unequal-interval launching is about half of those for optimized equal-interval launching.

  Conclusions  The optimized launching time series can greatly improve the usability, combat effectiveness and vitality of small surface vessels. This method can provide a reference for the reasonable matching design of small surface vessels and weapons and the optimal design of launching time series.