Optimized Guidance System for Trajectory Control of Hybrid Homing Missiles Tracking Maneuvering Targets

The presnt work proposes a novel infrared (IR) detector array configuration for hybrid (passive/active) homing missiles for detection and tracking of maneuvering attacking jet fighters. The proposed IR detector array has very fast response when used to find the direction of the maneuvering target. To avoid the false IR sources launched by the infrared countermeasure (IRCM) systems of the maneuvering jet fighters, the proposed feedback system of the missile flight control uses microwave radar in conjunction with the IR detector array. The present work introduces a novel guidance system proposed for missile trajectory optimization. The trajectory control is achieved by applying the particle swarm optimization (PSO) to optimize the missile trajectory so as to reduce the time required to intercept the target. Such trajectory optimization reduces the possibility of target escape even for jet fighters with high maneuvering capabilities. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed techniques.