An Optimal Mid-Course Guidance Law For Fixed-Interval Propulsive Maneuvers

In this paper we develop an optimal mid-course strategy for guiding an interceptor. We assume that the target is outside of the sensible atmosphere and is not maneuvering throughout the engagement, and the thrust vector controlled interceptor has a fixed maneuvering time which ends well before the actual intercept. We will later extend the optimal solution to a family of guidance laws that guarantee perfect intercept for the fixed-interval maneuvering problems.