Methods for Generating Aircraft Trajectories
Abstract
Methods for generating three dimensional aircraft trajectories necessary for quantitatively assessing aircraft tactics are documented in this report. Elements conventionally used in modeling aircraft motion are assembled to form a model governing aircraft translation, fuel use, and attitude. Assumptions on the functional dependence of the aircraft external forces and specific fuel consumption result in a system of seven equations and eleven variables governing aircraft trajectories. To provide flexibility in prescribing aircraft trajectories, the problem of solving the equations is formulated for five separate sets of known variables. These sets include variables defining aircraft controls, velocity attitude, and velocity magnitude. Extensions to the problem formulations allow flight path normal acceleration to be prescribed, also. A method to prescribe known variables is presented that ensures continuous aircraft acceleration and angular velocity. Numerical integration, finding roots of equations, and interpolation of function values are required to solve the trajectory generation problems. Application of selected algorithms for numerical solution of the equations is discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA122386
Entities
People
- David B. Quanbeck
Organizations
- Center for Naval Analyses