Application of 2D differential geometric guidance to tactical missile interception

The application of 2D differential geometric (DG) guidance law to a realistic tactical missile interception scenario is studied. In particular, the capture capability and interception performance of the law are analyzed. The classical differential geometry theory of curvature is utilized firstly to transform the DG guidance curvature command from an arc length system to the time domain. Then, an algorithm for the angle of attack command is derived to form the DG guidance law. Finally, a new necessary initial condition is deduced to guarantee capture of high speed targets. Simulations of intercepting maneuvering and non-maneuvering targets are performed. The results demonstrate that the DG guidance law exhibits similar performance to proportional navigation guidance law (PNG) in intercepting a non-maneuvering target. However, it performs better than PNG in the case of intercepting a maneuvering target.