Computer simulation of the thermal effects of a Concentric Canister missile Launcher with a fire in an adjacent compartment

Abstract

The thermal effects in the Concentric Canister 'missile' Launcher (CCL) due to a fire in an adjacent compartment are simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A commercial code developed by CFD Research Corporation (CFDRC) was used to implement the process. This study developed a model for the center section of the A-module, placed in the forward missile launcher of the Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class destroyer. Two fire scenerios are applied to the aft bulkhead of the launcher. The first fire scenario is indicative of the high temperature fire caused by unburned Exocet missile propellant experienced by the USS STARK (FFG-31) in the Arabian Gulf. The second fire scenerio applied to the model simulates the conditions caused by a ruptured shipboard F-76 diesel fuel tank, due to a collision at sea. The fire scenarios are used to predict the time and location of the critical cook off temperatures of the missile's solid and liquid fuel propellants in the CCL