Aeroprediction

The Aeroprediction Code is a semi-empirical computer program

Computer program

A computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...

 that estimates the aerodynamics

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics is a branch of dynamics concerned with studying the motion of air, particularly when it interacts with a moving object. Aerodynamics is a subfield of fluid dynamics and gas dynamics, with much theory shared between them. Aerodynamics is often used synonymously with gas dynamics, with...

 of weapons over the Mach number range 0 to 20, angle of attack range 0 to 90 degrees and for configurations that have various cross sectional body shapes. Weapons considered include projectiles, missiles, bombs, rockets

Rocket

A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...

 and mortars

Mortar (weapon)

A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....

. Both static and dynamic aerodynamics are predicted with good accuracy. The code also predicts the trajectory of the weapon using the aerodynamics predicted by the code.

The code may be used to compute the center of pressure

Center of pressure

The center of pressure is the point on a body where the total sum of a pressure field acts, causing a force and no moment about that point. The total force vector acting at the center of pressure is the value of the integrated vectorial pressure field. The resultant force and center of pressure...

 and static margin

Static margin

Static margin is a concept used to characterize the static stability and controllability of aircraft and missiles.*In aircraft analysis, static margin is defined as the distance between the center of gravity and the neutral point of the aircraft....

 of missiles.

The Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act provides insights into how to use aerodynamic prediction codes such as Aeroprediction in the design of missile for US acquisition.