Estimation of Roll Damping Coefficient from Roll and Trajectory Data Using Extended Kalman Filter

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>In this paper, a new method to estimate roll aerodynamic characteristics of a rolling projectiles is proposed. It is estimated from the measured roll rate and trajectory positional data using Extended Kalman Filter. Modified point mass model of trajectory modelling, in state space form, is used to represent system dynamics of Extended Kalman Filter. The roll and position data at every time step constitutes the measurement vector. Along with positions and velocities, roll damping coefficient is included as a state variable. As roll damping coefficient depends on projectile configurations and Mach number. Roll damping coefficients are estimated for two configurations viz. roll stabilized shell and fin stabilized rocket. The measurements are simulated for full flight regime to cover complete Mach regime. Estimated values are compared with known results for various Mach numbers. In both the cases estimation is in close agreement with known results.</jats:p>