AIRCRAFT OPTIMUM MULTIPLE FLIGHT PATHS.
Abstract
The objectives of the study are to apply existing optimization techniques of modern control theory to compute aircraft trajectories and to define an approach to implement the results into an improved military air traffic management (ATM) system. The recommended concept provides positive control of the airspace by acquiring aircraft formations, determining aircraft positions, assigning landing priorities, calculating optimum trajectories subject to constraints, and transmitting steering commands to the aircraft. Although the concept is developed in terms of an aircraft carrier operational setting and the analysis concentrates on minimum fuel trajectories, the concept is generally applicable to military ATM problems such as Army helicopters or fixed wing aircraft in the vicinity of an airbase, and the analysis techniques are candidates for other aircraft optimization problems such as minimum time-to-climb or minimum time-to-descent trajectories. The purpose of this concept is to increase overall operational capability by increasing the overall range or time-over-target of aircraft, reducing the threat to aircraft carriers, and simplifying and automating ATC procedures for pilots and controllers. An analytical approach was developed in this study to reduce the complexity of the optimum trajectory calculation so that acceptable accuracy is achieved with minimal computer capacity. The optimum trajectories are computed by an iterative solution technique that converges rapidly to the final trajectory. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0713136
Entities
People
- Philip S. Kilpatrick
- Robert L. Schultz
Organizations
- Honeywell International, Inc.