Optimal Launch Conditions on the "No-Escape-Envelope"

The paper deals with the optimization of state variables at the instant of missile launch. The constraint is the effectiveness of the missile for a typical response strategy of the target. Altitude, flight path angle and azimuth angle at launch time are computed such that initial distance to the target is maximized. The variation of altitude is done subject to constant specific energy. The choice of the cost function accounts for the aggressive behaviour of the target in reality. Naturally, the optimal launch conditions lie on the boundary of the capture zone, called the "no-escape envelope". The results provide reference points for immediate pre-launch maneuvering.