Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-jbqgn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-08T02:16:06.286Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Dynamics and control of different aircraft formation structures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 October 2016

F. Giulietti  and
G. Mengali
F. Giulietti
Affiliation:
University of Bologna, Italy
G. Mengali
Affiliation:
University of Pisa, Italy
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The problem of aircraft formation dynamics and control is investigated from the viewpoint of formation architecture. Three different formation structures, leader-wingman, virtual leader and behavioural approaches are introduced. A comparative study is made using a unified approach through a suitable control law. The formation systems are analyzed on a quantitative basis and objective results are made available for the designer. The trade-off between system performance and complexity is indicated. A complete nonlinear simulation involving a flight-path change and a heading change manoeuvre is discussed. Results show the superiority of a behavioural approach to maintain close formations of vehicles.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 108 , Issue 1081 , March 2004 , pp. 117 - 124
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2004 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Breukenberg, M. and Hummel, D. Aerodynamics, performance and control of airplanes in formation flight, 1990, 17th ICAS Congress proceedings, September 1990, 2, pp 1777–1794.Google Scholar
2. Singh, S.N., Chandler, P., Schumacher, C., Banda, S. and Pachter, M. Nonlinear adaptive close formation control of unmanned aerial vehicles, Dynamics and Control, April 2000, 10, (2), pp 179–194.Google Scholar
3. Bloy, A.W., West, M.G., Lea, K.A. and Jouma’A, M. Lateral aserodynamic interference between tanker and receiver in air-to-air refuelling, J Aircr, 1993, 30, pp 705–710.Google Scholar
4. Bloy, A.W. and Jouma’A, M. Lateral and directional stability control in air-to-air refuelling, J Aerospace Eng, 1995, 209, pp 299–305.Google Scholar
5. Pachter, M., D’Azzo, J.J. and Proud, A.W. Tight formation flight control, J Guidance, Control and Dynamics, March-April 2001, 24, (2), pp 246–254.Google Scholar
6. Proud, A.W., Pachter, M. and D’Azzo, J.J. Close formation flight control, 1999, AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, AIAA Paper 99–4207, Portland, OR, August 1999.Google Scholar
7. Pachter, M., D’Azzo, J.J. and Dargan, J. Automatic formation flight control, J Guidance, Control and Dynamics, November-December 1994, 17, (6), pp 1380–1383.Google Scholar
8. Buzogany, L.E., Pachter, M. and D’Azzo, J.J. Automated control of aircraft in formation flight, 1993, AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, Monterey, CA, August 1993, pp 1349–1370.Google Scholar
9. Stankovic, S.S., Stanojevic, M. and Siliak, D.D. Decentralised overlapping control of a platoon of vehicles, 2000, IEEE Transaction on Control Systems Technology, 8, (5), September 2000, pp 816–832.Google Scholar
10. Gingras, D.R. Experimental investigation of a multi-aircraft formation, 1999, AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, AIAA Paper 99-3143, Norfolk, VA, June 1999.Google Scholar
11. Gingras, D.R., Player, J.L., and Blake, W.B. Static and dynamic wind tunnel testing of air vehicles in close proximity, 2001, AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit, AIAA Paper 2001-4137, Montreal, Canada, August 2001.Google Scholar
12. Nelson, R.C. and Jumper, E.J. Aircraft wake vortices and their effect on following aircraft, 2001, AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit, AIAA Paper 2001-4073, Montreal, Canada, August 2001.Google Scholar
13. Anderson, M.R. and Robbins, A.C. Formation flight as a cooperative game, 1998, AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, AIAA Paper 98-4124, Philadelphia, PA, August 1998.Google Scholar
14. Giulietti, F., Pollini, L. and Innocenti, M. Autonomous formation flight, IEEE Control Systems Magazine, December 2000, 20, (6), pp 34–44.Google Scholar
15. Giulietti, F., Pollini, L. and Innocenti, M. Formation flight control: a behavioral approach, 2001, AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, AIAA Paper 2001-4239, Montreal, Canada, August 2001.Google Scholar
16. Van Tyne, J. and Bergesr, A.J. Fundamentals of Ornithology, John Wiley, New York, 1976.Google Scholar
17. Beard, R.W., Lawton, J. and Hadaegh, F.Y. A coordination architecture for spacecraft formation control, IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, November 2001, 9, (6), pp 777–790.Google Scholar
18. Giulietti, F., Napolitano, M., Capetta, R. and Innocenti, M. Detailed modeling of multiple aircraft within a close formation flight, 2002, AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit, AIAA Paper 2002-4404, Monterey, CA, August 2002.Google Scholar
19. Zhou, K., Doyle, J.C. and Glover, K. Robust and Optimal Control, 1996, pp 37–38, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.Google Scholar