Control of static unstable airframes

The challenge and control problems of static unstable missiles are presented. The steady-state benefits of static instability are illustrated, while the corresponding control challenge is described both by the characteristic lag of airframe and the increment of necessary control usage. Control limitation led by unstable zero-pole pair is analyzed for preliminary design and evaluation. Linear control strategy is examined wherein two and three loop acceleration autopilots with different control usages are developed using an optimal control approach combined with frequency domain constraint. The weights selection and relation with system performance are detailed. Then the nonlinear backstepping recursive method is detailed to determine how well it is able to follow command and its engineering feasibility. The results show that a static unstable missile is controllable, while the actuator bandwidth is the crucial limited factor. There should be a compromise between overall performance and actuator payment.