Path following control for powered parafoil system based on TD3-LADRC

The powered parafoil system is a distinctive flight vehicle that comprises a thrust device and an airdrop parafoil, affording significant advantages such as elevated load-bearing capacity and extended flight endurance. Nonetheless, the control of this system is intricate and nonlinear due to the complex dynamics and coupling effects. This study addresses the issue of path following control for a powered parafoil using two linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) controllers, specifically designed for lateral path following and altitude control. The plane path following controller incorporates a guidance law to address the underactuated problem. To enhance the controllers� efficacy, controller parameters are optimized via the twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (TD3) algorithm. Simulation outcomes evince that the proposed TD3-LADRC path following method adeptly tracks the intended path and altitude. The proposed approach exhibits a promising solution for the motion control of powered parafoil and possesses prospective applications in an array of aerial vehicles.