Optimization Study of High Altitude Micro Gliding Air Vehicle Re-Entry Path Characteristics

Abstract

Based on the characteristics of the configuration and flight of the micro gliding air vehicle (MGAV), an analysis and optimization for general gliding path of different mission demands is carried out. Firstly, an overall design method and parameters are summarized. Secondly, the equilibrium glide launching parameters are determined based on the general aircraft re-entry equation. The real launching parameter are also developed by considering the real launching facility. Furthermore, the un-controlled maximum-range-towards path characteristics for the real and equilibrium glide are compared and analyzed. The range in equilibrium glide is 5 km larger than real glide. Then, two potential flight demand are explained and the Gauss pseudo-spectral method is adopted to solve the maximum endurance and the maximum endurance and range with the process constraint and final constraint. The first target is 8 minutes longer than the original glide path but the range is 20 km less compared to the maximum range. The second target could keep the maximum range and at the meantime, the endurance could be increased 2 minutes. Finally, the control variables are substituted into the dynamic equations to validate the results. The result shows that the Gauss pseudo-spectral method is an effective and feasible way to solve the optimum gliding path.