Trajectory Optimization Using Differential Inclusion to Minimize Uncertainty in Target Location Estimation
Jeremy Hodgson · AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit · 2005
This paper describes a method of optimizing the performance of a missile which uses an imaging radar to locate a static ground target. The approach taken is to determine the trajectory shape from acquisition until impact which minimizes the cross range resolution achieved with a fixed dwell time, whilst maintaining operational constraints such as limits on the airframe normal acceleration and the seeker look angle. The performance of the combined airframe and seeker system is quantified by determining the magnitude of the uncertainty in the filtered estimate of the target location derived using range and range rate information. The improvement that can be achieved by shaping the trajectory to minimize the magnitude of the uncertainty region is also presented, along with a discussion on the effect on the filter performance of varying the airframe and seeker configuration.