A Two-Level Optimization Method for Hypersonic Periodic Cruise Trajectory

Abstract

Periodic cruise has the potential to improve the fuel-saving efficiency of hypersonic cruise vehicle but is difficult to optimize. In this paper, a two-level optimization method for the trajectory of periodic cruise is proposed. Due to that the periodic cruise trajectory can be divided into an acceleration phase where engine works and a glide phase where engine is off, the two-level optimization method is proposed to optimize the trajectory in each phase by the corresponding level. In the first level, Downhill Simplex Method (DSM) is employed to find an optimal angle of attack in the acceleration phase. Subsequently, the optimal trajectory in glide phase is obtained by the Pseudo-Spectral Method (PSM) in the second optimization level. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Finally, through comparing with steady-state cruise, it is concluded that periodic cruise makes full use of the change of atmospheric density and lift-drag ratio; thus, fuel saving is achieved.

Optimal Cruise Characteristic Analysis and Parameter Optimization Method for Air-Breathing Hypersonic Vehicle

“…Based on a parametric model of HL-20, a hypersonic vehicle widely used in trajectory optimization research, Liu et al [11] developed a two-level optimization algorithm combining particle swarm optimization and sequential quadratic programming to solve the optimal steady-state cruise point; Gao et al [12] employed the fmincon function in MATLAB to determine the position of the optimal cruise point. In [13], it was pointed out that a higher altitude was beneficial to reduce drag, but, at the same time, it would reduce the specific impulse. Therefore, the optimal cruise point was a combined result of these two aspects.…”