Lateral Control of Air-breathing Hypersonic Vehicle Using Model Predictive Control

Model predictive control (MPC) is seen as a promising approach to hypersonic flight management. MPC strategies capable of handling constraints are required to predict future behaviour to optimize control actions of hypersonic flight in real time. In this paper, an MPC algorithm for hypersonic flight control is proposed and developed by using a nonlinear six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) model linearized around operating point of Mach 5 speed and altitude of 65,000ft. Using a set of parameters such as prediction and control horizon, sampling time and move suppression coefficient, the proposed MPC controller was tuned to test the performance of a simulated hypersonic vehicle in MATLAB / Simulink environment. Test results indicate that the proposed MPC algorithm effectively track the desired roll angle and maintain it with considerable stability. The importance of advanced control approaches in designing and operating hypersonic vehicles have also been highlighted.