A Control Theoretic Study of the Nuclear Vulnerability of the Air Refueling Task.
Abstract
A hypothetical air refueling operation involving a B-52H bomber and a KC-135 tanker is modeled on an analog computer for the purpose of determining its vulnerability to air turbulence and pilot gain decrement due to irradiation. The model includes: (1) Longitudinal small perturbation equations of motion for the B-52H in the downwash flow field of the KC-135; (2) Pilot models to operate the elevator and throttle of the B-52H; and (3) A stochastic gust model which provides vertical gust disturbances to the equations of motion. The controlled elements with and without downwash are derived for the refueling task. Comparison of these transfer functions shows that the downwash causes instability. Stability analyses are conducted on the pilot-aircraft open-loop transfer functions over a range of pilot rate to displacement weighting, T sub L, and pilot gains are found which will stabilize the system for each value of T sub L. Monte Carlo simulations of the refueling task are run at varying combinations of T sub L, rms gust intensity, pilot thrust authority, and pilot gain decrement due to irradiation. Trends of mean refueling time are predicted.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA034946
Entities
People
- John T. Merrifield
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology