Medium Range Intercept Maneuvers with a Missile

In its first part the paper revisits the classical aircraft/target intercept problem. Full order point mass modeling in three dimensions is used. Optimal open¿loop solutions are presented for medium¿range or beyond¿visual¿range intercepts having initial separation distances of up to 100km. Depending on the interceptors initial velocity vector orientation relative to the target, portions of the optimal trajectories exhibit acceleration phases and/or zoom phases as predicted in the energy state analysis The second part of the paper considers intercept maneuvers in the vertical plane for which the performance of a generic medium range missile is fully accounted for in the intercept condition. This leads to aircraft maneuvers consisting of a pull¿up prior to missile launch resulting in an increased missile range and thus in a significantly earlier launch opportunity against an evading target. The results of the analysis are useful for constructing aircraft guidance laws to be used in any future air combat processor.