TAEM Guidance for Tran-atmospheric Vehicle

The tran-atmospheric vehicle is an unpowered glide vehicle during the terminal area energy management (TAEM) flight phase. The TAEM guidance and flight control system must control the kinetic energy and potential energy states of the vehicle, so as to enable the vehicle to achieve the right autolanding interface. In this paper, two approach types which are straight-in approach and overhead approach are discussed; the dynamic pressure profile and energy profile are pre-shaped. The guidance system controls the vehicle by flying the profile through modulation of flight range, dynamic pressure and speed brake. TAEM phase is further divided into four distinct sub-phases, the design principle and guidance of these four sub-phases are presented respectively. Preliminary simulation results for straight-in approach and overhead approach type are obtained, and then the rule of approach type selection is given