Three-Dimensional, Minimum-Time Flight Paths to a Point and onto a Line for a Supersonic Aircraft with a Maximum Mach Number Constraint.

Abstract

Optimal control theory and the energy-state approximation are used to determine the thrust, altitude, and bank angle programs for minimum-time flight paths of a supersonic aircraft from an initial energy, heading, and horizontal position to a specified final energy, heading, and point or line in a horizontal plane. Constraints on maximum and minimum thrust, stall angle-of-attack, maximum Mach number, maximum dynamic pressure, and maximum normal load factor are considered. The problem is restricted to those cases in which the flight path is long enough that the maximum Mach number is reached during the flight. Numerical results are presented for a typical supersonic aircraft capable of Mach 2.0 flight. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0748219

Entities

People

  • Arthur E. Bryson Jr.
  • Michael G. Parsons

Organizations

  • Stanford University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Altitude
  • Control Theory
  • Dynamic Pressure
  • Flight
  • Flight Paths
  • Mach Number
  • Supersonic Aircraft
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Operations Research

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flow
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers