On the feasibility of real-time prediction of aircraft carrier motion at sea

The ability to predict the aircraft carrier's motion over an interval of several seconds within reasonable error bounds may allow an improvement in touchdown dispersion and a more certain value for ramp clearance due to a smoother aircraft trajectory. Also, improved information to the landing signal officer should decrease the number of waveoffs substantially. It is quantitatively shown that, based on the power density spectrum data for pitch and heave measured for various ships and sea conditions, the motion can be predicted well for up to 15 seconds. The zero crossover times for both pitch and heave motions can be predicted with impressive accuracy. The predictor was designed on the basis of Kalman's optimum filtering theory for the discrete time case, adapted for real-time digital computer operation.