Challenges in the thermal management of missile systems

A typical missile had the following subsystems: Radome (often contains a radar antenna or other sensor), Computational unit (i.e., main electronic subsystem), Payload bay, CAS (control surface and actuator unit) and rocket or jet motor. Within the missile, the Computational unit and the sensor were the subsystems where electronic cooling schemes were typically applied. The CAS often contains the thermal battery and minor electronics, which also need to be considered. The primary cooling technique for missiles had been conduction and thermal capacitance. Internal liquid or refrigeration cooling was seldom considered because of the space required to hold or refrigerated the liquid. Cooling techniques currently employed were to reduce power and distribute the heat.