Optimal and near-optimal medium range air-to-air missile guidance against maneuvering targets

Optimal intercept trajectories for a boost-sustain-coast medium-range air-to-air missile are synthesized using optimal control theory. Optimality in time/range/energy at intercept of a target is the main objective. Attainable sets and their boundaries are obtained and used to generate optimal intercept points in a three-dimensional scenario. A three-phase closed-loop guidance scheme is used to generate an efficient guidance law against a maneuvering target. In the present study, target maneuvers are restricted to the horizontal plane. An initial boost-phase with near-optimal guidance in the presence of active control constraints and thrust switches is simulated. Target maneuvers are neglected during this phase. A new method of gain evaluation is detailed. A midcourse guidance scheme with neighboring guidance, transversal comparisons, and chasing center-of-attainability of target to augment performance is studied. Modifications in terminal guidance using proportional navigation, such as chasing the center-of-attainability of target, altitude shaping, and drag-resolution schemes are used to attempt better performance at intercept. A composite guidance strategy using a combination of neighboring guidance and proportional navigation for the midcourse guidance is introduced. The excellent performance of this guidance strategy and the improvement in storage requirements for on-board use make it a very special scheme.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1989

Author dc:creator

• Kumar, Renjith R.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Cliff, Eugene M.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Lutze, Frederick H.
• Burns, John A.
• Kraige, Luther
• Mason, William

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/54224

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/54224