Payload delivery vehicle and method

1. A multi-stage payload delivery vehicle, comprising:

a first stage comprising:

a jet engine;

a recovery system for recovering the first stage, wherein the recovery system comprises one of a parachute and a parafoil; and

a microprocessor-based control system to control a deployment parameter of the payload delivery vehicle;

at least one solid-propellant booster rocket motor coupled to the first stage; and

a second stage comprising:

a solid-propellant rocket motor; and

a payload comprising:

a ballistic missile reentry vehicle; and

at least one of a material and a coating for providing one of an infrared signature and a radio-frequency signature representative of a ballistic missile;

wherein the payload delivery vehicle is un-manned and configured for ground-based launch using one of a launch pad comprising a launch surface substantially normal to a thrust of the jet engine during launch and a rail launch system, wherein the jet engine generates thrust to continually power an ascent of the payload delivery vehicle until separation of the first and second stages, wherein the at least one solid-propellant booster rocket motor augments the thrust of the jet engine during a portion of the ascent and is subsequently jettisoned from the first stage, wherein the microprocessor-based control system is programmed to terminate in-flight operation of the jet engine after separation of the first and second stages, and wherein the recovery system is configured for deployment after separation of the first and second stages and after operation of the jet engine is terminated to control a descent of the first stage.

2. The multi-stage payload delivery vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first stage further comprises an airframe assembly attached to the jet engine.

3. The multi-stage payload delivery vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the first stage further comprises a pylon assembly for detachably coupling the first stage to the second stage such that the first and second stages define first and second parallel longitudinal axes, respectively.

4. The multi-stage payload delivery vehicle of claim 2 , further comprising an interstage assembly for detachably coupling the first stage to the second stage such that the first and second stages define a common longitudinal axis.

5. The multi-stage payload delivery vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the jet engine is a low-bypass turbofan jet engine.

6. The multi-stage payload delivery vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the jet engine has a dry thrust-to-mass ratio of at least 6.

7. The multi-stage payload delivery vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the jet engine is a non-man rated jet engine.

8. The multi-stage payload delivery vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first stage further comprises at least one air intake assembly for directing an airflow into the jet engine.

9. The multi-stage payload delivery vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first stage further comprises at least one of a stabilizer and a wing attached to the airframe assembly.

10. The multi-stage payload delivery vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first stage further comprises at least one fuel tank for storing a fuel supply for the jet engine.

11. The multi-stage payload delivery vehicle of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first stage and the second stage comprises a guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) assembly.

12. An un-manned multi-stage payload delivery vehicle, comprising:

a first stage comprising a jet engine;

at least one solid-propellant booster rocket motor coupled to the first stage;

a second stage comprising a solid-propellant rocket motor; and

an interstage assembly for detachably coupling the first stage to the second stage such that the first and second stages are aligned coaxially;

wherein the payload delivery vehicle is configured for ground-based launch using one of a rail launch system and a launch pad, wherein the jet engine generates thrust to continually power an ascent of the payload delivery vehicle until separation of the first and second stages, and wherein the at least one solid-propellant booster rocket motor augments the thrust of the jet engine during a portion of the ascent and is subsequently jettisoned from the first stage.

13. A payload delivery vehicle, comprising:

two and only two stages, wherein the two stages comprise a first stage and a second stage, and wherein the payload delivery vehicle is configured for un-manned flight;

wherein the first stage comprises a jet engine for generating thrust to continually power an ascent of the payload delivery vehicle until separation of the first and second stages, at least one solid-propellant booster rocket motor for augmenting the thrust of the jet engine during a portion of the ascent and subsequently jettisoning from the first stage, a recovery system for deployment after separation of the first and second stages to control a descent of the first stage, and a microprocessor-based control system to control a deployment parameter of the payload delivery vehicle;

wherein the second stage comprises a solid-propellant rocket motor and a payload for simulating flight characteristics of a ballistic missile; and

wherein the microprocessor-based control system is programmed to terminate in-flight operation of the jet engine after separation of the first and second stages and prior to deployment of the recovery system.