Aircraft Specific Energy

Aircraft Specific Energy

Aircraft-specific energy is a form of specific energy applied to aircraft and missile trajectory analysis. It represents the combined kinetic and potential energy of the vehicle at any given time. It is the total energy of the vehicle (relative to the Earth's surface) per unit weight of the vehicle and being independent of the mass of the vehicle provides a powerful tool for the design of optimal trajectories. Being flying vehicles aircraft specific energy is very similar to specific orbital energy except that it is expressed as a positive quantity. A zero value of aircraft specific energy is at the Earth's surface and increases as speed and altitude increases. Orbital specific energy is zero at infinite altitude and decreases as one approaches the surface of the earth. As with other forms of specific energy, aircraft specific energy is an intensive property and is represented in units of length since it is independent of the mass of the vehicle.