Seamlessly Integrated GNC Algorithms for Multi-Missile Interception

We propose an integrated missile interception approach that ensures seamless transition between fly out guidance phase and end game guidance phase under environments with complex noises and multiple weapon/sensor resources. Several distinctive key features are as follows: 1) Rather than attempting achieving fly-out guidance laws that will invariably require information on time-to-go, continuous feed on target motion, linearization or other unrealistic assumptions, our fly-out guidance approach is based on fast on-line solution to a 3-D optimal control problem. The guidance allows optimally determined two-pulse fly-out strategy, easily incorporates any updated target motion data, and affords seamless transition to end-game guidance; 2) A new end game guidance law which considers time-varying parameters, nose-tail bicontrol, estimation delay, and intentional/chaotic spiraling will be developed; 3) Variable Structure Interacting Multiple Model (VSIMM) estimation theory is applied to support our guidance and control algorithm. Such estimation approach is efficient for tracking different “class” target and/or in “dense” environment, i.e. in presence of a number of different threats corrupted by non-Gaussian clutters. The special structure of our VSIMM will greatly reduce computational complexity; 4) We will also refine game theoretic resource management algorithm and other supporting modules which will optimally utilize available weapons and sensor resources.