Innovative Guidance Algorithm to Increase Hit-to-Kill Intercept Accuracy

"The high accuracies required by hit-to-kill interception places severe demands on interceptor maneuverability and flight control time response when engaging targets that are maneuvering either intentionally or unintentionally. A well-known guidance law foruse against a maneuvering target is augmented proportional navigation (APN). It has been recently demonstrated that the limitations of APN can be overcome through the use of a new non-linear guidance (NLG) algorithm. The maneuver advantage requirement ismuch less, and it is effective with time constants that would otherwise degrade the performance of APN. Results are based on a two dimensional non-linear model with the target performing a weave maneuver. The new algorithm can achieve increased interceptaccuracy under minimal maneuver advantage requirements over a wide range of initial conditions with reasonable levels of angle noise and target maneuver estimation error. Minimum maneuver advantage is essential in minimizing interceptor divert, and thus,minimizing weight and size. It is proposed that research be performed to refine the current NGL algorithm formulation and initiate the transition to executable code, with focus on implementing the algorithm on a 3-degree of freedom simulation with realword limitations on the availability, fidelity, and accuracy of measurement information. This research promises to contribute to future performance enhancements of those kill vehicles en