A Fuzzy Technique for Performing Lateral-Axis Formation Flight Navigation Using Wingtip Vortices
Author | : National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
Publisher | : Createspace Independent Publishing Platform |
Total Pages | : 34 |
Release | : 2018-08-27 |
ISBN-10 | : 1726149455 |
ISBN-13 | : 9781726149457 |
Rating | : 4/5 (55 Downloads) |
Download or read book A Fuzzy Technique for Performing Lateral-Axis Formation Flight Navigation Using Wingtip Vortices written by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-08-27 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Close formation flight involving aerodynamic coupling through wingtip vortices shows significant promise to improve the efficiency of cooperative aircraft operations. Impediments to the application of this technology include internship communication required to establish precise relative positioning. This report proposes a method for estimating the lateral relative position between two aircraft in close formation flight through real-time estimates of the aerodynamic effects imparted by the leading airplane on the trailing airplane. A fuzzy algorithm is developed to map combinations of vortex-induced drag and roll effects to relative lateral spacing. The algorithm is refined using self-tuning techniques to provide lateral relative position estimates accurate to 14 in., well within the requirement to maintain significant levels of drag reduction. The fuzzy navigation algorithm is integrated with a leader-follower formation flight autopilot in a two-ship F/A-18 simulation with no intership communication modeled. It is shown that in the absence of measurements from the leading airplane the algorithm provides sufficient estimation of lateral formation spacing for the autopilot to maintain stable formation flight within the vortex. Formation autopilot trim commands are used to estimate vortex effects for the algorithm. The fuzzy algorithm is shown to operate satisfactorily with anticipated levels of input uncertainties.Hanson, Curtis E.Armstrong Flight Research CenterFORMATION FLYING; FUZZY SYSTEMS; WING TIP VORTICES; LATERAL CONTROL; F-18 AIRCRAFT; AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION; AUTOMATIC PILOTS; ROLL; DRAG REDUCTION; FEEDBACK CONTROL; REAL TIME OPERATION; FLIGHT SIMULATION; ALGORITHMS...