An autonomous carrier landing system design and simulation for unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

This paper focuses on the key issues of landing a carrier-based fixed-wing UAV on the aircraft carrier, especially the autonomous landing system design principles, methods and simulation. According to the differences between piloted and unmanned landing, including the distinction of landing on the land and moving carrier, this paper proposes autonomous landing system design issues and requirements. Adaptive deck motion prediction and compensation is used, with appropriate wave-off decision-making method, while an integrated design of the flight control system and automatic thrust control system is used to follow the glide slope precisely. Finally, based on the designs, an autonomous aircraft carrier landing system is completed and simulated with desired performance.