Model Predictive Lateral Pulse Jet Control of an Atmospheric Rocket

TLDR: In this paper, the use of a small number of short-duration lateral pulses acting as a control mechanism is investigated to reduce the dispersion of a direct fire rocket, and a unique control law is reported that combines model predictive control and linear projectile theory for lateral pulse jet control of an atmospheric rocket.

Abstract: Uncontrolled direct fire atmospheric rockets exhibit high impact point dispersion, even at relatively short range, and, as such, have been employed as area weapons on the battlefield To reduce the dispersion of a direct fire rocket, the use of a small number of short-duration lateral pulses acting as a control mechanism is investigated A unique control law is reported that combines model predictive control and linear projectile theory for lateral pulse jet control of an atmospheric rocket The impact point in the target plane is directly controlled Through simulation, this model predictive flight control law is shown to efficiently reduce direct fire rocket dispersion A parametric trade study on an example rocket configuration is reported that details the effect of the number and amplitude of individual pulse jets, as well as the effect of the flight control system computation cycle time