Three-dimensional optimal trajectory for global range of CAV

Abstract

In this paper, we shall present the optimal trajectory of common aero vehicle (CAV) for the military application of global attack mission. We apply the dynamics of atmospheric re-entry for modeling the motion of a CAV flying through the atmosphere. The problem of optimal global range trajectory is formulated by the maximum principle. The performance index is obtained by expecting the final position of the vehicle is nearest to the specified one. Using the shooting-type method, we get the initial values of the adjoin variables which are necessary to construct the optimal control laws. The exact optimal solution is the case that the CAV achieved a 360/spl deg/ longitude change in flight. The various initial velocity and flight path angle lead to different shape of optimal trajectory. The numerical results show that, with a shallow initial flight path angle, the optimal trajectory oscillates with small amplitudes. This kind of trajectory needs a relative smaller initial velocity. The numerical applications presented in this paper have a large practical interest for the CAV's evolution.