Nonlinear model predictive control for aircraft flat-spin recovery

Abstract

In order to address the control-related issues in spin recovery, such as saturation problem, altitude loss, and recovery time, this work focuses on the application of nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) technique to spin recovery. It discusses the design of NMPC, fundamental tenets of NMPC and lists its primary advantages for spin recovery. To illustrate the proposed research, the F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) is taken into consideration. The purpose of the current study is to determine whether the NMPC can reduce the negative effects of aerodynamic control surface saturation on spin recovery. The same is confirmed when the findings of the NMPC recovery are placed on the performance envelope of the aircraft under consideration. It has been demonstrated that NMPC lowers the overall control effort needed for spin recovery. Additionally, it is established through closed-loop simulation that the NMPC minimizes altitude loss and cuts down time needed for recovery. The aforementioned claim is backed by a comparison of the findings with a typical robust nonlinear controller, SMC designed in this paper, and results on spin recovery from earlier publications. In this way, the proposed NMPC-based control approach attempts to expand the scope of the current work.