Design Method for Canard Actuation System (DeMCAS)

A CAS consists of actuators, canard position measurement sensors and a canard opening and closing system. A CAS design has been a highly dynamic, time consuming process specified by the various requirements such as its cost, weight, size, high G survivability, and GN&C performance objectives. A CAS design typically involves several iterations of the processes of selecting actuators and sensors, revising the designs of mechanical components and control software to incorporate changes in mechanical, electrical, and software configurations of a projectile and its production requirements. Therefore, it is highly desired to develop a method that can reconfigure a CAS design to systematically incorporate changes in hardware and software design specifications, which will enable rapid development of a gun-launched precision projectile and lead to significant cost reduction and performance enhancement. Mid proposes to meet this goal by developing a set of analytical models that accurately characterize actuation systems with sufficient scaling parameters to meet the Armys goals.