06.2 - Flight Dynamics and Control (UAV related)
A STRATEGY FOR UAV PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT THROUGH ATMOSPHERIC ENERGY EXTRACTION USING MPC TECHNIQUES
G. Pogorzelski, CENIC Engenharia, Brazil; F.J. Silvestre, ITA - Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, Brazil
A guidance and control strategy for unpowered autonomous thermalling and cruise flight is proposed. The objective is to explore the availability of clean atmospheric energy aiming at enhancing fixed-wing UAV performance. Since optimal climb rates typically need the aircraft to be flown close to its envelope, model predictive control techniques are adopted.