SYNTHESIS OF FLIGHT VEHICLE GUIDANCE AND CONTROL LAWS USING GENETIC SEARCH METHODS

Guidance and control problems in which the system dynamics or the performance measures are discontinuous, non-smooth, or non-convex are difficult to attack with conventional methods. Genetic search techniques can be extremely useful for these types of problems, as genetic methods are not gradient-based and can operate regardless of the complexity of the problem dynamics or performance specifications. In this paper, genetic search methodologies are applied to solving a set of aerospace guidance and control problems. These problems include homing missile guidance, spacecraft reorientation, and advanced aircraft control and guidance logic. The examples presented here demonstrate the advantages of genetic search methods in synthesizing nonlinear guidance and control laws for systems that may be difficult or intractable with conventional approaches.