No-Escape Envelope with Field of Regard Constraint using Gradient-Based Direct Method for Pursuit-Evasion Games

Abstract

This paper proposes a no-escape envelope (NEE) of two-dimensional short range air-to-air missile (SRAAM) using pursuit-evasion game with constraints on control variable. The pursuit-evasion game is gradient-based direct method specialized for a class of quantitative time-optimal min-max problems, for which the payoff of the game is the capture time, and the terminal condition of the game is that the pursuer perfectly captures the evader. The proposed algorithm is composed of update and correction procedures. The optimal solution for an example of pursuit-evasion game is calculated to demonstrate the performance of the algorithm. Dynamics and control input are modified to describe the characteristics of SRAAM more accurately. Since SRAAM is sensitive to mass change, acceleration command is replaced by lift coefficient command. Field of regard limit of the seeker is implemented. The NEE is calculated through a series of pursuit-evasion games for all combinations of initial heading angles at a given distance. The merit of calculating NEE is that it can provide an insight on SRAAM's operation in air combat scenarios.