We adopted optimal preview control methodology to design a terrain-followin
g controller for a cruise missile. In this methodology, tracking errors and
control increments are both considered in a quadratic penalty function. An
augmented error system that involves future command inputs is built. Thus
the preview control problem can be formulated as an optimal regulator probl
em. Integrating the general optimal servo system with preview feed-forward
compensations that respectively feed forward future command inputs and futu
re disturbances produces an optimal preview servo system. In the terrain-fo
llowing system, the flight altitude of a cruise missile is the command inpu
t, and its future information can be known a priori. The wind is viewed as
the disturbance in the system and is not previewable. Thus we designed a te
rrain-following controller with a basic state feedback and a feed-forward c
ompensation for future altitude information, regarding the wind as a consta
nt signal. Simulation results show that the performance of the terrain-foll
owing system with such an optimal preview controller is improved dramatical
ly.