Three-dimensional nonlinear \(H_{\infty}\) guidance law (Q2710028)

The subject of the paper is a three-dimensional missile-target problem. A new three-dimensional missile guidance design which considers nonlinear missile motions and uses the \(H_{\infty}\)-norm, instead of the \(H_2\)-norm as a measure of missile performance, is proposed. At first, the three-dimensional missile guidance problem is formulated as a nonlinear \(H_{\infty}\) disturbance attenuation problem. Then the associated Hamilton-Jacobi partial differential inequality is solved analytically. Performance of the \(H_{\infty}\) guidance law derived from this solution is evaluated in the pursuit-evasion game with the worst-case target. Finally, the robustness of the three-dimensional guidance \(H_{\infty}\) law against variations in target acceleration, in engagement conditions and in control loop gain is illustrated numerically. In the circumstance where target acceleration is unknown or is poorly estimated the robust \(H_{\infty}\) guidance law could be better than the adaptive guidance law.