11R3. Missile Guidance and Control Systems. - George M Siouris. Springer-Verlag, New York. 2004. 666 pp. ISBN 0-387-00726-1. $299.00.
Reviewed by DB Schaechter (Precision Pointing and Controls Tech Dept, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space Systems, Adv Tech Center, 3251 Hanover St, Bldg 201, Org ABFS, Palo Alto, CA 94302).
The 666-page book Missile Guidance and Control Systems by George M Siouris is an up-to-date, well-organized, elegantly treated, and carefully presented text that could form the basis for a senior- or graduate-level year-long course in guidance, navigation, and controls, or as a reference book for anyone engaged with aspects of missile system design or development, or simply with an interest in this area. The text begins with a chapter on missile equations of motion (translational and rotational kinematics and dynamics using vector and tensor notation). Early in this chapter, transfer functions are discussed; the author making the implicit assumption that the reader is at least familiar with Laplace transforms and transfer functions. Next is a chapter that covers aerodynamics forces and torques with their implications on overall missile system design (guidance, seekers, noise, autopilots, etc.), and the design process. This is followed by a chapter on tactical missile guidance laws and sensing systems, including proportional navigation, optimal control, optimal estimation, and missile intercept. These three chapters plus the introduction could be covered comfortably in a single semester format. Chapters 5–7 then focus on missile system specifics, including a chapter on weapon delivery systems (which thankfully includes a complete acronym/definition table for many terms common to those in the missile community, but not necessarily familiar to those working outside the area), one on strategic missiles, and finally a chapter on cruise missiles, which also covers terrain matching, global positioning information, and the incorporation of both into the missile guidance equations. It should be noted that if this book were to be used in a classroom setting, it contains no “problem sets” that could form the basis for homework assignments.
Equations are all easy to read; nomenclature is logical throughout, easy to understand and follow; the figures are all simple, clean, and to the point; and the text itself flows eloquently. It is very evident that the book organization and presentation has been thought through carefully, that the manuscript has been carefully reviewed, and that the final product represents the fruits of what must have been long hours of preparation. It was definitely worth the effort.
In addition to the wealth of analytical material that comprises the majority of the book, the text also contains nine appendices that serve as a valuable, centrally located, self-contained reference: fundamental constants, a glossary, list of acronyms, standard atmospheric model, missile classification, past and present missile systems, a section on the properties of conics, radar frequency bands, and finally, conversion factors.
For a truly professional presentation of missile guidance and control systems from its earliest incarnation to literally present day applications and systems, this text is a valuable, self-contained addition to your personal library, and one that will no doubt provide a return on your (not insignificant) investment.
