HGV-202F : Characteristics of Hypersonic Glide Vehicles

HGV-202F (Hypersonic Glide Vehicle 202 Romanoff)

HGVs are unpowered vehicles that “glide” to their target at the “top”

of the atmosphere, reaching between about 40 km to 100 km in alti-

tude. Even in this rarified atmosphere, they are designed to produce lift

that is equal to their weight to keep them aloft at hypersonic speeds. A

typical operational concept of an HGV involves launching it on a bal-

listic missile and releasing it at the appropriate altitude, velocity, and

flight path angle to enable it to glide to its target. The initial release

conditions are driven by the intended trajectory (downrange and cross-

range) and the characteristics of the vehicle, e.g., lift and drag. We

note that HGV trajectories are very different from maneuvering reen-

try vehicles (MaRVs) developed in the past.
MaRV trajectory is mostly in ballistic mode above 100 km with some

maneuvers executed post-reentry. In contrast, the HGV spends a neg-

ligible portion (if any) of its flight in ballistic mode.

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