Control Allocation Algorithm for Hypersonic Glide Vehicles with Input Limitations

Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) operate in challenging flight regimes characterized by strong nonlinearities in actuation and stringent physical constraints. These include state-dependent actuator limitations, asymmetric control bounds, and thermal loads that vary with maneuvering conditions. This paper introduces an iterative control allocation method to address these challenges in real time. The proposed algorithm searches for control inputs that achieve the desired moment commands while respecting constraints on input magnitude and rate. For slender HGV configurations, thermal loads and drag generation are strongly correlated—lower drag typically results in reduced surface heating. By embedding drag-sensitive soft constraints, the method improves energy efficiency and implicitly reduces surface temperatures, lowering the vehicle’s infrared signature. These features are particularly advantageous for long-range military operations that require low observability. The approach is demonstrated using the DLR’s Generic Hypersonic Glide Vehicle 2 (GHGV-2) simulation model. The results confirm the method’s effectiveness in maintaining control authority under realistic, constrained flight conditions.