Integrated flight and propulsion control system design using H∞ loop-shaping techniques

An integrated flight and propulsion control system is designed for an experimental short take-off and vertical landing aircraft configuration using H^∞ loop-shaping controller design techniques. The aircraft model used in the study is based on the Harrier airframe with the Pegasus engine replaced by a thermodynamic simulation of a Rolls-Royce Spey powerplant, to allow the incorporation of advanced engine control concepts. The controller follows a two-inceptor strategy to command flight path angle rate and velocity along the flight path, while simultaneously keeping several airframe and engine variables within specified safety limits. Nominal and robust performance properties of the centralised IFPC system are validated via nonlinear PC based simulation