Study on intermittent gliding control of a saucer-shaped aircraft

In connection with the requirement of improve endurance and range of aircraft in modern warfare, we have designed an intermittent gliding control law for a saucer-shaped aircraft in this paper. This control law uses an optimal flight envelope lower bound control method. In this method, raise of height is not controlled when the saucer-shaped aircraft is climbing in a thermal lift, thus to make full use of atmospheric energy in circle-climbing flight. When the saucer-shaped aircraft exceeds the range of updraft, it transfers to gliding condition from climbing condition. Simulation result shows that intermittent gliding flight using this control law can significantly improve the endurance and range of the saucer-shaped aircraft. This method is also beneficial to achieve the combat target of long-endurance, long-range and cruising attack for small UAVs and missiles.