Hybrid BTT/STT missile autopilot design

Abstract

Purpose

Traditional skid-to-turn (STT) missile control mode is adopted mostly, but with the improvement of requirements for mobility and the emergence of new aerodynamic layout, a bank-to-turn (BTT) control mode gradually shows a greater advantage. However, the BTT missile also has certain defects, for example, when attacking against a maneuvering target and at the last section of guidance, the maximum lifting surface position of the missile needs to be adjusted frequently, thereby increasing the difficulty of control as well as introducing high-frequency noise.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on respective characteristics of the two control modes, this paper puts forward a hybrid autopilot design method based on nonlinear dynamic inversion. Firstly, the method converts overload instructions into corresponding angle instructions through the design of hybrid control guidance logic; secondly, based on the nonlinear dynamic inversion algorithm and combined with the fast-changing circuit/slowly changing circuit, a hybrid controller is designed; finally, combined with the missile mathematical model and actuator, it forms a autopilot design closed loop.

Findings

The simulation result shows that the non-linear dynamic inverse-based BTT/STT hybrid controller can input a track command well, normal overload and roll angle tracking performance have more advantages than the hybrid controller designed on the basis of classical control method in terms of overshooting and hysteretic characteristics.

Originality/value

The paper puts forward a new BTT/STT hybrid control method which has both the high mobile ability of the BTT missile and the precise control ability of the STT missile, which can adapt to the more complicated fighting environment. And, the method can effectively weaken the impact of the transformation of the control mode on the system.

Citation

Bai, C., Lu, F. and Xu, X. (2017), "Hybrid BTT/STT missile autopilot design", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 89 No. 6, pp. 809-814. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-05-2015-0134