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Article
Publication date: 27 September 2018

Jian Hu, Naigang Cui, Yuliang Bai and Yunhai Geng

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel guidance law that is able to control the impact time while the seeker’s field of view (FOV) is constrained.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel guidance law that is able to control the impact time while the seeker’s field of view (FOV) is constrained.

Design/methodology/approach

The new guidance law is derived from the framework of Lyapunov stability theory to ensure interception at the desired impact time. A time-varying guidance gain scheme is proposed based on the analysis of the convergence time of impact time error, where finite-time stability theory is used. The circular trajectory assumption is adopted for the derivation of accurate analytical estimation of time-to-go. The seeker’s FOV constraint, along with missile acceleration constraint, is considered during guidance law design, and a switching strategy to satisfy it is designed.

Findings

The proposed guidance law can drive missile to intercept stationary target at the desired impact time, as well as satisfies seeker’s FOV and missile acceleration constraints during engagement. Simulation results show that the proposed guidance law could provide robustness against different engagement scenarios and autopilot lag.

Practical implications

The presented guidance law lays a foundation for using cooperative strategies, such as simultaneous attack.

Originality/value

This paper presents further study on the impact time control problem considering the seeker’s FOV constraint, which conforms better to reality.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 91 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1961

D.J. Ritchie

PHOTOGRAPHIC details of various aircraft and missiles recently released in conjunction with the Soviet air show at Tushino Airport on July 9, 1961, has provided a basis for the…

Abstract

PHOTOGRAPHIC details of various aircraft and missiles recently released in conjunction with the Soviet air show at Tushino Airport on July 9, 1961, has provided a basis for the start of an evaluation of Soviet air‐to‐air rocket weapons. These pictorial data, coupled with Russian textbooks, as well as evidence of Soviet interest in the guided‐missile work of the Western Powers, indicated by the material that has been translated from English into Russian,1 has led to this brief evaluation of their work in this field.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 33 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 30 January 2007

Chaoyong Li, Wuxing Jing, Hui Wang and Zhiguo Qi

The paper aims to provide further study on the development and analysis of flight control system for two‐dimensional (2D) differential geometric (DG) guidance and control system…

1207

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to provide further study on the development and analysis of flight control system for two‐dimensional (2D) differential geometric (DG) guidance and control system based on the application of a set‐point weighting proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controller.

Design/methodology/approach

The commanded angle‐of‐attack is developed in the time domain using the classical differential geometry theory. Then, a set‐point weighting PID controller is introduced to develop a flight control system so as to form the 2D DG guidance and control system, and the gains of the PID controller are determined by the Ziegler‐Nichols method as well as the Routh‐Hurwitz stability criterion. Finally, the classical frequency method is utilized to study the relative stability and robustness of the designed flight control system.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the designed controller yields a fast responding and stable system which is robust to the high frequency parameters variation. Moreover, the DG guidance law is viable and effective in a realistic missile defense engagement.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel approach on the development of DG guidance and control system associated with its stability analysis.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 79 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2017

Mandar Bhanudas Kamalaskar, S. Aditya Varma and Mangal Kothari

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new nonlinear guidance law to satisfy terminal impact-angle constraints against a stationary target in every possible planar…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new nonlinear guidance law to satisfy terminal impact-angle constraints against a stationary target in every possible planar surface-to-surface engagement scenario. The proposed guidance scheme is developed based on the geometry of a circular arc trajectory. The proposed guidance scheme is developed based on the geometry of circular arc trajectory. This trajectory is calculated based on the terminal impact angle and target range. The efficacy of the proposed guidance scheme is demonstrated through numerical simulations. The proposed scheme is compared with existing guidance schemes and relevant analysis is provided.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a new nonlinear guidance law to satisfy terminal impact-angle constraints against a stationary target in every possible planar surface-to-surface engagement scenario. The proposed guidance scheme is developed based on the geometry of a circular arc trajectory. This guidance scheme is further extended to moving targets.

Findings

The proposed guidance intercepts a stationary target with a smooth lateral acceleration command, which is desirable for realistic implementation. The efficacy of the approach is demonstrated through numerical simulation. A comparative study with the existing algorithm is presented and it is shown that the proposed algorithm is better on many counts.

Originality/value

There are many approach exists in the literature for impact-angle guidance laws. The paper proposes a computationally efficient guidance law using geometric and kinematic properties. As the approach produces smooth command, it has a practical relevance. A comparative study shows superiority on some counts (miss distance, flight time, smoothness).

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Unmanned Systems, vol. 5 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-6427

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 January 2017

Celâl Ada and Ayhan Kural

The purpose of this paper is to present the autopilot design for the missile under various disturbances.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the autopilot design for the missile under various disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, model predictive control (MPC) method has been used for autopilot design for each axis. The aim of autopilot is that to keep the roll angle value around the zero degree and to track pitch/yaw acceleration commands. This three-axes control methodology also takes into consideration the interaction between pitch, yaw and roll motions.

Findings

The purpose of using MPC method for three-axes of the autopilot is to decrease the control effort and to make the close-loop system insensitive against modeling uncertainties and stochastic effects.

Originality/value

This study shows that the missile is able to reach to the desired target with good robustness, low control effort and little miss-distance under disturbances such as aerodynamic uncertainties, thrust misalignment and gust affect by using this alternative control method.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 June 2016

Soumen Kumar Roy, A K Sarkar and Biswajit Mahanty

The purpose of this paper is to evolve a guideline for scientists and development engineers to the failure behavior of electro-optical target tracker system (EOTTS) using fuzzy…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evolve a guideline for scientists and development engineers to the failure behavior of electro-optical target tracker system (EOTTS) using fuzzy methodology leading to success of short-range homing guided missile (SRHGM) in which this critical subsystems is exploited.

Design/methodology/approach

Technology index (TI) and fuzzy failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) are used to build an integrated framework to facilitate the system technology assessment and failure modes. Failure mode analysis is carried out for the system using data gathered from technical experts involved in design and realization of the EOTTS. In order to circumvent the limitations of the traditional failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA), fuzzy FMCEA is adopted for the prioritization of the risks. FMEA parameters – severity, occurrence and detection are fuzzifed with suitable membership functions. These membership functions are used to define failure modes. Open source linear programming solver is used to solve linear equations.

Findings

It is found that EOTTS has the highest TI among the major technologies used in the SRHGM. Fuzzy risk priority numbers (FRPN) for all important failure modes of the EOTTS are calculated and the failure modes are ranked to arrive at important monitoring points during design and development of the weapon system.

Originality/value

This paper integrates the use of TI, fuzzy logic and experts’ database with FMEA toward assisting the scientists and engineers while conducting failure mode and effect analysis to prioritize failures toward taking corrective measure during the design and development of EOTTS.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 February 2022

Abdellah Ferdjali, Momir Stanković, Stojadin Manojlović, Rafal Madonski, Dimitrije Bujaković and Abderraouf Djenadbia

A laser seeker is an important element in missile guidance and control systems, responsible for target detection and tracking. Its control is, however, a challenging problem due…

Abstract

Purpose

A laser seeker is an important element in missile guidance and control systems, responsible for target detection and tracking. Its control is, however, a challenging problem due to complex dynamics and various acting disturbances. Hence, the purpose of this study is to propose a systematic design, tuning, analysis and performance verification of a nonlinear active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) algorithm for the specific case of the laser seeker system.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed systematic approach of nonlinear ADRC application to the laser seeker system consists of the following steps. The complex laser seeker control problem is first expressed as a regulation problem. Then, a nonlinear extended state observer (ESO) with varying gains is used to improve the performance of a conventionally used linear ESO (LESO), which enables better control quality in both transient and steady-state periods. In the next step, a systematic observer tuning, based on a detailed analysis of the system disturbances, is proposed. The stability of the overall control system is then verified using a describing function method. Next, the implementation of the NESO-based ADRC solution is realized in a fixed-point format using MATLAB/Simulink and Xilinx System Generator. Finally, the considered laser seeker control system is implemented in discrete form and comprehensively tested through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) co-simulation.

Findings

Through the conducted comparative study of LESO-based and NESO-based ADRC algorithms for the laser seeker system, the advantages of the proposed nonlinear scheme are shown. It is concluded that the NESO-based ADRC scheme for the laser seeker system (with appropriate parameters tuning methodology) provides better control performance in both transient and steady-state periods. The conducted multicriteria study validates the efficacy of the proposed systematic approach of applying nonlinear ADRC to laser seeker systems.

Practical implications

In practice, the obtained results imply that the laser seeker system, governed by the studied nonlinear version of the ADRC algorithm, could potentially detect and track targets faster and more accurately than the system based on the common linear ADRC algorithm. In addition, the article presents the step-by-step procedure for the design, field programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation and HIL-based co-simulation of the proposed nonlinear controller, which can be used by control practitioners as one of the last validation stages before experimental tests on a real guidance system.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this work is the systematic procedure of applying the ADRC scheme with NESO for the specific case of the laser seeker system. It includes its design, tuning, analysis and performance verification (with simulation and FPGA hardware). The novelty of the work is also the combination and practical realization of known theoretical elements (NESO structure, NESO parameter tuning, ADRC closed-loop stability analysis) in the specific case of the laser seeker system. The results of the conducted applied research increase the current state of the art related to robust control of laser seeker systems working in disturbed and uncertain conditions.

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1968

NOT perhaps the most vintage of Farnboroughs from the point of view of new aircraft and new technology, but undoubtedly one of the most successful in relation to the business…

Abstract

NOT perhaps the most vintage of Farnboroughs from the point of view of new aircraft and new technology, but undoubtedly one of the most successful in relation to the business done. Some fifteen major orders worth over £32½ million were announced, bringing the total order book for the industry this year to more than £782 million already. This exceeds by a handsome margin the new business won by the industry in any nine‐month period in the past, and it is expected that by the end of the year orders worth well over £800 million will have been received. Highlights of the new British hardware on show were the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod and production Harriers on the military side; the B.A.C. One‐Eleven 500, the Handley Page Jetstream, the Garrett‐engined Short Skyvan, and the Beagle Pups showed the resurgence of the industry's civil interests. The number of foreign aircraft that appeared, sponsored in the main by Rolls‐Royce, bore witness to the strength of Britain's aero engine and aircraft equipment industry, and further evidence of this was found in the exhibition proper with many examples of major items of equipment having been adopted for overseas markets. The overall impression at Farnborough was a new‐found confidence in the future of the industry exemplified by a more aggressive and effective export sales policy that has already proved our ability to deliver the goods. It is not possible to cover all the exhibits shown at Farnborough, but the report following describes many of the interesting items.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 40 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2013

Shaofei Chen, Hongfu Liu, Jing Chen and Lincheng Shen

The purpose of this paper is to plan the penetration trajectory for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the presence of radar‐guided surface to air missiles (SAMs).

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to plan the penetration trajectory for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the presence of radar‐guided surface to air missiles (SAMs).

Design/methodology/approach

The penetration trajectory planning problem is modelled based on four aspects of radar tracking features. As penetration just utilizes the low observability of radar cross section (RCS) to satisfy temporal constraints of tracking, the problem is formulated as multi‐phase trajectory planning with detected probability (MTP‐DP). While utilizing both the low observability of RCS and the radial velocity blind area of radar, the problem is formulated as multi‐phase trajectory planning with detected probability and radial velocity (MTP‐DP&RV). The pseudospectral multi‐phase optimal control based trajectory planning algorithm is proposed.

Findings

The results of the examples illustrate that the multi‐phase trajectory planning method can finely utilize the radar tracking features to optimize the comprehensive efficiency of penetration. The pseudospectral multi‐phase optimal control based trajectory planning algorithm could effectively solve the trajectory planning problem.

Originality/value

This paper provides new structured method to plan UAV penetration trajectory for military application and academic study.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 85 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1970

Accles & Pollock Ltd. of Oldbury, Worcestershire, a TI Steel Tube Division company, will be exhibiting a comprehensive range of precision steel tube and tubular products…

Abstract

Accles & Pollock Ltd. of Oldbury, Worcestershire, a TI Steel Tube Division company, will be exhibiting a comprehensive range of precision steel tube and tubular products, including plain, annularly convoluted and thin wall tube, at Farnborough.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 42 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

1 – 10 of 819