Optimal Terrain-Following Feedback Control for Advanced Cruise Missiles

Abstract : A cruise missile is a vehicle that spends the major portion of its flight at essentially constant altitude and speed. Some cruise missiles are flown at very low altitudes in order to avoid detection. The terrain-following capabilities of such a missile and its guidance system are of importance. It is desirable that the missile should follow closely the contour of the terrain, which may be fixed (Land) or time-varying (ocean waves). A previous study (Ref. 1) demonstrated that optimal control theory could usefully be applied to calculate the best achievable accuracy of terrain-following. Reference 1 showed that, even with an optimal guidance system, terrain-following accuracy was limited by considerations of the cruise missile's inertias, airspeed, and aerodynamic configuration.