Full envelope missile autopilot design using gain scheduled robust control

The challenge to cope with highly nonlinear and rapidly time-varying dynamics will be a prevailing factor when designing autopilots for next-generation agile missiles. Robust control techniques are employed to design lateral and roll controllers for an agile skid-to-turn missile. Uncertainty models for variations in the aerodynamic coefficients and in the first flexible-body mode have been introduced. The controllers are scheduled as a function of dynamic pressure using a novel conditioning/blending technique to achieve full flight envelope control capability. A high-fidelity nonlinear six-degree-of-freedom simulation accounting for structural vibrations and various noise effects is used to verify the approach in a practical setting. A sequence of lateral acceleration commands and a realistic engagement scenario demonstrate the performance and robustness properties of the designed autopilots. The applicability of linear robust control techniques to nonlinear dynamic systems is illustrated in an authentic environment employing the challenging example of a highly maneuverable missile.