Analysis of UAV Kinematic Constraints for Rigid Formation Flying
Vinay Reddy Challa, Ashwini Ratnoo · 2016
The problem of multi-UAV rigid formation flying manoeuvres is considered. In a leader- follower frame work, an analysis is carried out for flyable operating region considering bank angle, stalling speed and maximum speed constraints. Speed and bank angle requirements for a wingman are derived with respect to prospective leader manoeuvre and the formation geometry. Further, the work uses these relations and obtains a closed form operating region for the leader imposed by all the wingmen constraints. The flyable region is presented in speed - turn radius space. Simulations are carried out validating the analytic findings. The work presents a simple and closed-form design methodology for feasible UAV formation manoeuvres. © 2016, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. All rights reserved.