The procedures followed in selecting an advanced air weapon system are reviewed, from the establishment of the military requirement to the final design definition of the complete system. To illustrate these procedures, selection is made of an air vehicle type which best satisfies the hypothetical military requirement. Critical developmental areas peculiar to the air vehicle selected are described, and some of the major variables affecting the missile and booster design are defined. Design-analysis techniques used in optimizing the air vehicle portion of the weapon system are then outlined. The importance of integrating similar design analyses conducted on all major elements of the system to produce a weapon system of maximum military effectiveness is stressed.
