Trajectory Optimization for Airborne Dispenser Based on Analytical Solution

The airborne dispenser is an effective air-ground weapon possessing standoff strike ability. However its strike range is very limit, and it has to take higher risk to be intercepted with the range of air defense system increasing, so it is essential to study the theory and application of longest glide trajectory optimization for unpowered airborne dispenser. By using optimal control theory, the optimal glide flight kinematics and dynamics equations in the vertical plane were established to make performance function for final velocity and flight range control, and the analytical result of optimal glide trajectory could be obtained based on Hamilton's principle. Compared with direct-shooting and SQP, the results show that this analytical-based method can get a optimal trajectory with a higher calculation efficiency and precision.