A sliding mode missile pitch autopilot synthesis for high angle of attack maneuvering

A new approach to the synthesis of longitudinal autopilots for missiles flying at high angle of attack regimes is presented. The methodology is based on sliding mode control, and uses a combination of aerodynamic surfaces and reaction jet thrusters, to achieve controllability beyond stall. The autopilot is tested on a small section of the flight envelope consisting of a fast 180/spl deg/ heading reversal in the vertical plane, which requires robustness with respect to uncertainties in the system's dynamics induced by large variations in dynamic pressure and aerodynamic coefficients. Nonlinear simulation results show excellent performance and capabilities of the control system structure.