OPTIMUM FLIGHT TRAJECTORY GUIDANCE BASED ON TOTAL-ENERGY CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT

The guidance technique for optimal vertical flight trajectory with a t otal energy control system (TECS) is discussed. The flight profile is optimized based on the point-mass energy state approximation model of aircraft with direct operating cost as its index function. The guidanc e law is developed with the total energY control concept used in TECS. To improve the guidance precision, several methods are adopted in the optimization and tracking process, and two preprocessing algorithms, the lead-compensation algorithm and the smooth filtering algorithm, ar e developed for the ideal optimal trajectory. Satisfactory digital sim ulation results for a Boeing-707 transport model are finally obtained.