Accurate solution of proportional navigation for maneuvering targets

Abstract

An accurate solution is presented of the nonlinear differential equations describing motion under proportional navigation when the target is laterally maneuvering. A quasilinearization (QL) approach is used, followed by a perturbation technique to obtain closed-form solutions for trajectory parameters. An explicit expression for the pursuer lateral acceleration is derived and shown to contain contributions due to initial heading error and target maneuver, with a coupling between the two effects. The solution is shown to be a substantial and consistent generalization or an earlier accurate solution for nonmaneuvering targets and also of classical linear solutions for maneuvering targets. The generalized QL solution presented provides very accurate estimates of pursuer lateral acceleration over a much broader range of engagement geometries and target maneuvers than presently available closed-form solutions.