Efficient combinations of numerical techniques applied to aircraft turning performance optimization

Abstract

This paper presents efficient combinations of numerical optimization techniques summarizing their relative merits. Four basic methods handling contraints without penalty functions, are considered: 1) sequential gradient-restoration, 2) quasilinearization, 3) neighboring extremals, and 4) direct shooting. The first two are modifications of algorithms introduced by Miele, avoiding numerical differentiation and eliminating the anchoring effect of the original formulation. The third one is a generalization of an algorithm due to Bryson and Ho. The individual and combined methods are tested by solving the optimization of vertical and threedimensional turning maneuvers as examples. Results show that an appropriate combination of algorithms reduces the computational effort by more than 50%.