Incremental Model Predictive Attitude Control for Morphing Aircraft: A Weak Model-Dependent Control Method

In this article, an incremental model predictive attitude control for morphing aircraft with variable wingspans and sweepback angles is proposed. This method does not require a concrete mathematical model of the system, thus reducing the dependence on the system model. Further, by introducing deformation-assisted attitude control, it increases the flight maneuverability and attitude control capabilities of the morphing aircraft. First, the longitudinal dynamics model of the aircraft is introduced by considering the wingspan and sweepback angle deformation as additional control inputs. Subsequently, the dynamics equation is approximated by the incremental system, which reduces the dependence on the model information. Then, the incremental model is further simplified according to the time-scale separation principle, and finally the global linearized system is obtained. Considering the state and input constraints, the optimal control problem is constructed, and then a weak model-dependent predictive control method is obtained. Finally, the numerical simulation has been conducted and compared with the state-of-the-art methods, and the results verify great performance of the algorithm in terms of strong robustness, high computational efficiency, and low model dependence.