Avoiding Gimbal Lock in a Trajectory Simulation

Abstract

A physics-based trajectory simulation can experience the phenomenon of gimbal lock when the flight path angle of the projectile approaches vertical. Methods of gimbal lock avoidance have been developed in the past, but often rely on complicated mathematical constructs. A simple working solution for gimbal lock avoidance is discussed in this report, largely for use in three-degree-of-freedom trajectory simulations, to aid in the maneuverability calculations for guided projectiles.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 02, 2018
Accession Number
AD1055301

Entities

People

  • David Hosier

Organizations

  • Picatinny Arsenal

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammunition
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Euler Angles
  • Flight
  • Flight Paths
  • Gravity
  • Guided Projectiles
  • Maneuverability
  • Munitions
  • Projectiles
  • Rotation
  • Simulations
  • Three Dimensional
  • Trajectories

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Parallel and Distributed Computing.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers