A class of fixed-time fuel-optimal impulsive control problems and an efficient algorithm for their solution

A fuel-optimal impulsive control problem, which is a generalization of the problem considered by Neustadt [9], is treated. Certain theoretical results, including necessary conditions for optimality, are derived using simple geometric arguments. It is shown that the general algorithms proposed by Barr and Gilbert [2] can be applied to obtain numerical solutions. The computer implementation is described in general terms and a number of numerical examples are given to demonstrate the efficiency and versatility of the algorithm.