Autonomous control and path planning for autorotation of unmanned helicopters

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objective of this work is to develop an autonomous autorotation landing system for an unmanned helicopter. Three-dimensional autorotation flight paths are obtained from a parametric optimization method (developed in previous work) to guide the aircraft through the three phases of a successful autorotation: entry, descent, and flare to landing at a desired location. In this study, the path planning algorithms are integrated with a flight control law and demonstrated in high fidelity simulations. Details of the autonomous autorotation trajectory following control law and analytical autorotation flight path implementation are presented. Simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of tracking complex three-dimensional autorotation trajectories from engine failure to safe touchdown at a pre-specified landing location.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication68th American Helicopter Society International Annual Forum 2012
Pages2941-2955
Number of pages15
StatePublished - 2012
Event68th American Helicopter Society International Annual Forum 2012 - Fort Worth, TX, United States
Duration: May 1 2012May 3 2012

Publication series

NameAnnual Forum Proceedings - AHS International
Volume4
ISSN (Print)1552-2938

Other

Other68th American Helicopter Society International Annual Forum 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityFort Worth, TX
Period5/1/125/3/12

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering

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