Aggressive Turn-Around Manoeuvres with an Agile Fixed-Wing UAV. Issue 17 (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Levin, Joshua M.; Nahon, Meyer; Paranjape, Aditya A.
• Is Part Of: IFAC-PapersOnLine. Volume 49:Issue 17(2016)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: Manoeuvrability -- Agile Control -- Aerospace Trajectories -- Optimal Control -- Optimal Trajectory -- Optimality -- Optimization Problems; Automatic control -- Periodicals; 629.805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ifacol.2016.09.042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-8963

Abstract

Abstract: This paper investigates an aerobatic manoeuvre performed by an agile fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle, with the intent of determining how best the manoeuvre can be automated. The manoeuvre is an aggressive turn-around: a 180 degree reversal of the aircraft's heading, in which the space required for completing the turn is minimized. A comprehensive dynamics model of an agile fixed-wing aircraft is used to design trajectories of the manoeuvre off-line using optimal control. A methodology for evaluating the suitability of controllers for executing the manoeuvre is also presented.