Adaptive control of hypersonic vehicles in the presence of modeling uncertainties

This paper proposes an adaptive controller for a hypersonic cruise vehicle subject to aerodynamic uncertainties, center-of-gravity movements, actuator saturation, failures, and time-delays. The adaptive control architecture is based on a linearized model of the underlying rigid body dynamics and explicitly accommodates for all uncertainties. It also includes a baseline proportional integral filter commonly used in optimal control designs. The control design is validated using a high-fidelity HSV model that incorporates various effects including coupling between structural modes and aerodynamics, and thrust pitch coupling. An elaborate comparative analysis of the proposed Adaptive Robust Controller for Hypersonic Vehicles (ARCH) is carried out using a control verification methodology. In particular, we study the resilience of the controller to the uncertainties mentioned above for a set of closed-loop requirements that prevent excessive structural loading, poor tracking performance and engine stalls. This analysis enables the quantification of the improvements that result from using and adaptive controller for a typical maneuver in the V - h space under cruise conditions.