Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics An American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Series

When materials interact at hypervelocityon the order of Mach 8.5 and aboveunexpected results can occur. This book addresses the effects of hypervelocity impact, summarizing past and present research efforts as well as setting out the theoretical foundation for understanding material interactions at such velocity. It focuses on research conducted at the Holloman Air Force Base High Speed Test Track (HHSTT), which is working toward a test vehicle speed above Mach 10. Researchers have found that as the sleds speed has increased to Mach 8.5, a material interaction has developed which causes gouging in the rails and the sleds shoeswhich can lead to catastrophic failure.