Hypersonic Weapon Sensors Inform Missile Maneuverability

Role of Sensor Data in Hypersonic Guidance Systems

Finely-calibrated, rugged sensors of a hypersonic missile’s seeker system collect critical data about things like weather, heat signatures, and location.  From there, advanced data processing translates the sensor inputs and returns defense-ready decisions in an instant. This split-second process is one factor that helps hypersonic missiles move along an unpredictable flight path so quickly and to react with speed and agility to incoming threats.

Precision Guidance Starts with Sensor Inputs

Positioned at the front end of a missile seeker system, the sensitive sensors act as the eyes of a mission. Multiple types of hypersonic weapon sensors are always searching for characteristics within the environment that influence what the missile targets and how to reach that target.

Visual and infrared optical sensors work together to identify shapes and heat signatures, to detect the right target more effectively. Inertia sensors aid in navigation, while radar sensors can detect the reflection of radio frequency (RF) signals from a target and use that information to guide the missile toward the target. RF sensors have the dual purpose of detecting the RF noise from a connection being jammed as well as analyzing weather conditions.

Other types of hypersonic weapon sensors impacting the
guidance system include:

• Aerodynamic pressure sensors
• Electro-optic sensors
• Temperature sensors
• Vibration sensors

Real-Time Data Processing

As the sensors collect inputs, the data then travels through cables to connect to the control center to be analyzed quickly. To process all that data, multiple technologies must work in tandem and at high connection speeds.

Typically, the sensors receive RF signals and convert them into electrical signals. These signals are then sent via electrical or optical lines to feed data to the onboard computer in the processing unit for real-time analysis. 

Agile Responsiveness to Sensor Data

Lastly, the translated data must be acted upon. Should the hypersonic missile stay the course, change its path, or abort the mission? Such critical decisions must be made immediately and accurately.

Processed sensor data is usually unmanned (autonomous). The data runs through pre-programmed missile guidance algorithms that are trained to take instant action based on the inputs. For example, if data reveals an opponent is jamming a communication signal, an algorithm can autonomously direct the system to switch to another frequency as an anti-jamming defense maneuver.

Due to a hypersonic weapon’s short time from launch to target, unmanned responses are an efficient strategy when processing sensor data. 

Engineering Requirements for Hypersonic Weapon Sensor Components

Sensor components within hypersonic missiles must meet key connectivity, size, weight, and power (SWaP), and ruggedness requirements despite complex engineering challenges.

High-Speed, Multi-System Connectivity

High-speed, high-bandwidth transceivers are vital to process sensor data of this magnitude in real time. Processing also requires strong, stable connections to other areas of the missile because the sensor data influences so many other systems, especially the hypersonic flight control center. And location and weather data need to be shared with the navigation system to chart the best flight path, and radar data may indicate if the engines should increase or decrease power.

Learn more about the technology within hypersonic missile sub-systems

Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP)

Sensors and connectors take up space and weight in the already limited space within a hypersonic missile. To maximize payload volume and weight, most connectors must be miniaturized and designed to be as lightweight as possible. However, these components must still deliver enough power to operate the missile. Additionally, sensor cable and wire systems must be tightly packed and shaped to travel through the narrow passageways inside the missile.

Ruggedness Testing for Sensor Reliability

Collecting and processing data requires sophisticated sensor and connector components that can reliably work within the high temperature, high speed, high altitude, and high vibration conditions of a missile moving at five times the speed of sound while on a shifting flight path.

Materials for each hypersonic weapon sensor component should be selected with the right balance of electrical conductivity, structural integrity, thermal shock resistance, and durability. And all components should undergo rigorous evaluation and simulation testing to demonstrate their technology readiness level for hypersonic applications.

Learn more about component durability in hypersonic weapon systems

Advancing Technology in Hypersonic Weapon Sensor Systems

To help address the engineering challenges of high-performance guidance technology on hypersonic missiles, TE collaborates closely with customers to understand their application needs and identify potential failure points in critical missile systems. Sensor connectivity components are also put through rigorous testing to provide durability, size, weight, power, and processing speed requirements. 

Sensor Components for Enhanced Guidance

TE’s defense design experts engineer high-power connectors with rugged materials to help improve power efficiency while standing up to the demands of extreme environmental conditions. Durable heat shrink components are designed to seal and shield more vulnerable components, like fiber optics, from high temperatures. TE’s RF connectors, antennae products, and cable systems make up interconnect solutions for inertia, temperature, pressure, and radar sensor devices that can process data and respond at lightning speed. High-bandwidth fiber optics can be used because they are not susceptible to the RF-contested energy that is common in missiles.

SWaP noteworthy advancements  from TE include miniaturized sensor components such as micro-D connectors, nano-D connectors, and relays. Additionally, flat-form cabling with a tighter bend radius can be laid out in the narrow space of the missile. Adjusting the shape of cables also allows TE to their power handling.

This combination of customer partnership, engineering expertise, and a broad portfolio of ruggedized components helps TE to develop smart solutions for hypersonic weapon sensors and seeker systems that supports  advanced maneuverability and precision guidance.

Key Takeaways

• Sensor technology is a critical component helping enable unpredictable maneuverability in hypersonic weapon systems.
• As hypersonic weapon sensors collect inputs from the environment, the data is quickly processed to output a response in real time.
• Processed sensor data can initiate an autonomous, unmanned response.
• Hypersonic missile sensor components must meet strict connectivity, ruggedness, and size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements that overcome complex engineering challenges.
• Collecting and processing sensor data requires components that can reliably work within harsh conditions such as high temperature, high speed, high altitude, and high vibration.