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Singular-Arc Time-Optimal Trajectory of Aircraft in Two-Dimensional Wind FieldThis paper presents a study of a minimum time-to-climb trajectory analysis for aircraft flying in a two-dimensional altitude dependent wind field. The time optimal control problem possesses a singular control structure when the lift coefficient is taken as a control variable. A singular arc analysis is performed to obtain an optimal control solution on the singular arc. Using a time-scale separation with the flight path angle treated as a fast state, the dimensionality of the optimal control solution is reduced by eliminating the lift coefficient control. A further singular arc analysis is used to decompose the original optimal control solution into the flight path angle solution and a trajectory solution as a function of the airspeed and altitude. The optimal control solutions for the initial and final climb segments are computed using a shooting method with known starting values on the singular arc The numerical results of the shooting method show that the optimal flight path angle on the initial and final climb segments are constant. The analytical approach provides a rapid means for analyzing a time optimal trajectory for aircraft performance.
Document ID
20060053337
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Nguyen, Nhan
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Subject Category
Aircraft Stability And Control
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference
Location: Keystone, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: August 20, 2006
End Date: August 24, 2006
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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