Optimal Parachute Guidance, Navigation, and Control for the Affordable Guided Airdrop System (AGAS)

This study is a continuation of a previous work concerning the Affordable Guided Airdrop System (AGAS), a parachute system that integrates low- cost guidance and control into fielded cargo air delivery systems. This thesis sought to expand upon the previous study and provide more information and research on this innovative and critical military system. Several objectives and tasks were completed in the course of this research and development. The simulation model used in the previous work for feasibility and analysis studies was moved from a MATLAB/SIMULINK environment to a MATRIX-X environment in anticipation of AGAS future use on an integrated Systems, Incorporated AC-104 real-time controller. Further simulation and study for this thesis were performed on the new system. The new model implemented characteristics of the G- 12 parachute, which eventually will be used in the actual flight testing of the AGAS airdrop. The system of pneumatic muscle actuators (PMAs) built by Vertigo, Incorporated and used on the AGAS was modeled on the computer also. The characteristics of this system and their effects on AGAS guidance and control were studied in depth. The control concept of following a predicted trajectory based on certain wind predictions and other ideas for control algorithms to minimize fuel gas usage, number of control actuation and final control error were also studied. Conclusions and recommendations for further study were drawn from this project.Naval Postgraduate School Monterey CA is the author of 'Optimal Parachute Guidance, Navigation, and Control for the Affordable Guided Airdrop System (AGAS)', published 2000 under ISBN 9781423536260 and ISBN 1423536266.