Intuitive Mission Handling with Automatic Route Re-planning using Model Predictive Control

Abstract: The system for mission handling in the Gripen fighter aircraft, and in its ground supporting system, consists for example of ways to plan mission routes, create mission points and validate performed missions. The system is complex and for example, the number of different mission points used increases due to changing demands and needs. This master thesis presents suggestions for improvements and simplifications for the mission handling system, to make it more intuitive and more friendly to use. As a base for the suggestions, interviews with pilots from Saab, TUJAS and FMV have been conducted, this is to obtain opinions and ideas from those using the system and have deep knowledge about it. Another possible assistance and improvement is to provide the possibility of on-line automatic re-planning of the mission route in case of obstacles. MPC (Model Predictive Control) has been used to estimate the obstacle’s flight path,and calculate a new route to the next mission point which does not conflict with the estimated enemy’s path. This system has been implemented in Matlab and the concept is demonstrated with different test scenarios where the design parameters (prediction horizon and penalty in the cost function) for the controller are varied, and stationary and moving obstacles are induced.