Nonlinear inverse dynamics control of aircraft using spoilers

In this paper, the development of an advanced flight control system for a modern combat aircraft, the Hawk trainer, is presented. It centres on the nonlinear inverse dynamics (NID) methodology and its specific application to flight control using a promising control devicethe spoiler. The proper control modelling of spoiler aerodynamics leads to a generic nonlinear model for the most typical aft-mounted spoilers which is then included in a complete nonlinear aircraft model. A novel systematic design procedure for the synthesis of robust NID-based aircraft flight control systems is presented. Use of the methodology for the Hawk aircraft leads to the development of a multi-mode longitudinal flight control system, with the particular aim of using spoilers as an active control device. Promising applications of spoilers for active control of aircraft are studied and the related control configurations designed. Simulation results for aircraft manaeuvring are presented, demonstrating the effectiveness of spoilers for aircraft manceuvre enhancement and, in particular, in ameliorating the effects of wind shear and microbursts.