A Novel Aircraft Center of Gravity and Gross Weight Estimation Method Solely Using Standard Aircraft Measurement Sensors

Impact Technologies, in collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology proposes to develop and demonstrate a novel algorithm for estimating aircraft gross weight and center-of-gravity location using an innovative nonlinear real-time filter based method. The proposed algorithm uses known physics-based kinematic relationships between aircraft states for the estimation process and requires only traditional sensor measurements typically employed by aircraft. The physics-based kinematic relationships are used to derive the aircraft"s imposed loading estimates. Once the imposed load is determined the algorithm quickly isolates the vehicle"s gross weight and center-of-gravity. Estimation of the aircraft"s aerodynamic parameters is not required in the new approach. The new real-time filtering algorithm is based on an augmented version of the Sliding Mode Control algorithm which guarantees stable convergence (using Lyapunov"s Direct Method) of the aircraft"s gross weight and center-of-gravity estimates within known bounds. Preliminary simulation studies have demonstrated fast convergence of the aircraft"s gross weight and center-of-gravity location within a high degree of accuracy. While Phase I will focus on proof-of-concept software-in-the-loop demonstration and refinement to the current algorithms, a flight worthy algorithm will be developed and demonstrated using a relevant Navy aircraft vehicle platform for a mission profile in Phase II.