Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Optimal Guidance against Maneuvering Target with Large Initial Heading Error

This paper investigates the problem of three dimensional (3-D) guidance law design against maneuvering target with large initial heading error. We first formulate the guidance problem in the range domain by leveraging a relative inertial frame in the 3-D space. Based on optimal control theory, the proposed guidance law is derived analytically without using any linearization assumptions. The exact closed-form solution is presented to analyze the characteristics and physical meaning of the proposed guidance law. The key feature of the proposed guidance law lies in its simple implementation and exact nonlinear nature. We also show that the proposed guidance algorithm provides global capturability for maneuvering target interception, which is superior to the conventional linear optimal guidance laws. Numerical simulations are conducted to support the analytical findings.