Controls and Control Theory Commons^™

Automation Of Formation Flight Control, Vincent P. Reyna

Theses and Dissertations

The research contained in this thesis explores the concepts of Automated Formation Flight Control documented in three previous AFIT theses. The generic formation analyzed consists of a Leader and Wingman, with the Wingman referencing its maneuvers off of Leader maneuvers. Specifically, planar formation flight control concerning only heading and velocity changes is considered. Next, the vertical separation constraint is relaxed to allow wing maneuvers outside of the flight plane of the lead in order to minimize the energy expended by the wing in a maneuver. Analysis of the two forms of formation flight control investigated in this thesis reveals the …