Optimization of glide trajectory of guided bombs using a Radau pseudo-spectral method

The problem of optimizing the maximum range of a glide guided bomb is studied based on the principle of solving optimal control problems using the Radau pseudo-spectral method. The dynamic model of the guided bomb is nondimensionalized. Combining with the Pontryagin minimum principle, the analytic solution of the optimal control and the first-order necessary condition are derived. The trajectory optimization problem is translated to a nonlinear programming via the Radau pseudo-spectral method. Based on covector mapping principle, an optimality verification method is presented for the numerical solution. Simulation results show that the Radau pseudo-spectral method can provide a highly valuable optimal solution for engineering application. Compared with the conventional maximum lift-to-drag ratio gliding trajectory, the trajectory after optimization can be extended by more than 10%.