Trajectory planning for gliding aircraft based on improved A^* algorithm

In order to solve the lateral maneuver problem of gliding aircraft during reentry process, the theory of A^* algorithm is introduced into trajectory planning. Earth curvature must be considered when flying distance is far, besides, there are varies constrains during reentry process. According to the boundedness of existing trajectory planning using A^* algorithm based on plane, an A^* algorithm for trajectory planning based on ellipsoid is put forward. Process constrains are also introduced into the searching procedure of A^* algorithm through deduction. Finally, a reasonable trajectory can be found. The results of simulation verify that the method of this paper can find out a trajectory rapidly and efficiently, and this method has strong commodity.