Control Systems for Platform Landings Cushioned by Air Bags

Abstract

This report presents an exploratory mathematical study of control systems for airdrop platform landings cushioned by airbags. The basic theory of airbags is reviewed and solutions to special cases are noted. A computer program is presented, which calculates the time-dependence of the principal variables during a landing under the action of various control systems. Two existing control systems of open-loop type are compared with a conceptual feedback (closed-loop) system for a fairly typical set of landing conditions. The feedback controller is shown to have performance much superior to the other systems. The feedback system undergoes an interesting oscillation not present in the other systems, the source of which is investigated. Recommendations for future work are included. Keywords: Air drop operations, Airbags, Platform landings, Cushioning, Landing aids, Aerial delivery, Landing impact, Impact shock, Control systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA196154

Entities

People

  • Edward W. Ross

Organizations

  • United States Army Soldier Systems Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Aerial Delivery
  • Closed Loop Systems
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Differential Equations
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Feedback
  • Intact Stability
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Numerical Integration
  • Open Loop Systems
  • Oscillation

Readers

  • Aerial Delivery - Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Explosive Engineering.