Performance Optimization of a Low-Altitude Skid-to-Turn Vehicle

Abstract

The problem of performance optimization of a skid-to-turn vehicle is studied. The objective is to minimize the time required to steer the vehicle from an initial state at a nonzero altitude to a ground target state subject to constraints on altitude and crosstrack. A performance index is designed that enables the vehicle to fly at a constant low altitude for as long as possible while performing a bunt maneuver (negative sensed acceleration) as quickly as possible at the end of the trajectory. To implement the objective functional and incorporate all required constraints, a two-phase optimal control problem is developed. The key features of the two-phase optimal control problem are provided for various values of the objective functional weight and maximum allowable crosstrack. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed to assess the accuracy of the solutions obtained to the true optimal solution.