Mixed Control with Aerodynamic Fin and Side Thruster Applied to Air Defense Missile

This paper shows an autopilot design example with simulation results for a medium range surface-to-air missile used to intercept fast maneuver targets. The missile is assumed to use both aerodynamic fins and side thrusters to achieve fast time response. The steady-state maneuver capability of the missile is assumed to be enough at high altitude to engage usual maneuvering targets. Side thruster is used to get an extremely rapid acceleration response at high altitude where the missile´s aerodynamic control effectiveness is weak. The strategy of control design is firstly to employ side thrusters to achieve a rapid response and then to hand-over the control to the aerodynamic fins to maintain the desired acceleration command in the steady state ...