Interceptor Algorithms

The evolution of advanced missile threats calls for interceptors with increased maneuver agility operating seamlessly in and between the boundaries of low endo-, high endo- and exo-atmospheric regimes and blurs the separation of interceptor fly-out and autonomous kill-vehicle end-game. In order to meet with increased target maneuver capabilities, the kill vehicle must supplement when possible its thruster based divert capability with aerodynamic lift which is the source of considerable model uncertainties. This poses major control architectural challenges and raises serious robustness issue difficult to meet using traditional control techniques. This proposal is about the use of novel Higher Order Sliding Mode HOSM control techniques in the design of seeker tracker and observers, guidance and automatic pilot. HOSM control is output based and not plant model oriented. It requires very limited knowledge of the plant and is perfectly robust to model uncertainty. Using the fly out characteristics and endgame guidance requirement of several known interceptors such as the ground based Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), sea based Standard Missile (SM3), and ground based midcourse Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) and given an assumed advanced maneuvering threat this effort will explore the potential of developing a new agile kill vehicle GN&C that can operate in all phases of flight: boost, midcourse, and terminal and its associated guidance, navigation and control laws for the most advanced threats without being constrained by the current approaches.