Date of Award

9-1991

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

Curtis Mracek, Major, USAF

Abstract

Research for this thesis centered on the Lambda Unmanned Research Vehicle (URV), an asset of the Flight Dynamics Directorate, Wright Laboratory Patterson AFB. The following tasks were accomplished: (1) a linear, state-space, small perturbation model was developed for both the longitudinal and lateral directional dynamics of the vehicles, and (2) pitch rate roll rate, and yaw rate flight controllers were designed using classical and multivariable feedback methods. The parameters of the linear, state space, small perturbation model were estimated from actual flight test data. Digital Datcom was first used to estimate stability and control derivatives from the vehicle's geometry. Maximum likelihood estimation was then used to adjust the Datcom derivatives so that the estimated state time histories matched the actual state time histories recorded during flight. Pitch rate, roll rate, and yaw rate controller designs were developed using classical feedback methodology characterized by single input, single output, open loop transfer function techniques. The controller designs were repeated using the Linear Quadratic Gaussian with Loop Transfer Recovery (LOG/LTR) multivariable feedback approach.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GAE-ENY-91S-4

DTIC Accession Number

ADA241859

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