Configuration-trajectory decoupling control of morphing wing-docked multibody aircraft

Wingtip-docking compound aircraft with morphing capabilities are gaining increasing attention due to their potential to leverage different environmental adaptability and flight performance across various configurations. However, the morphing potential of such aircraft has not been fully exploited, primarily due to researchers’ reluctance to engage with the challenges posed by asymmetric configurations. This paper analyzes the difficulties in controller design under asymmetric configurations and decouples configuration control from trajectory control by introducing the concept of equivalent attitude, providing a proper trimming reference and maneuver control baseline for the compound aircraft in asymmetric configurations. Finally, a series of spacial trajectory tracking simulations are conducted under symmetric/asymmetric configurations. The contribution of this paper lies in extending the usable configurations of the compound flexible aircraft from symmetric to asymmetric, making maneuverable and balanced flight possible in any configuration.