Aircraft Optimal Terrain/Threat-Based Trajectory Planning and Control

Abstract

In this paper, single- and multi-objective three-dimensional terrain- and threat-based trajectory planning and control are addressed for optimal time, fuel, and altitude scenarios. Toobtain more realistic and feasible trajectories, a high-fidelity, six-degree-of-freedom dynamic model of the aircraft is used that includes accurate aerodynamic and propulsion models in all path-planning scenarios. The paper is composed of two parts. In the first part, optimal trajectories are generated using a global differential-evolution-based optimization algorithm. A comprehensive analysis of the resulting optimal trajectories reveals major characteristics of each scenario, which are generally different. In the second part of the paper, a multi-input, multi-output nonlinear model predictive controller is established to enable the aircraft to track the optimal paths in real time. The controller uses a neurofuzzy predictor model that is trained using the local linear model tree algorithm. A robustness analysis shows that the designed controller can effectively reject wind disturbances while maintaining stability in the presence of uncertainties in the physical parameters. Copyright © 2013 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.