Development and simulation of an F/A-18 fuzzy logic automatic carrier landing system

The author describes the development and simulation of a fuzzy logic automatic carrier landing system (FACLS) for the F/A-18 aircraft. The FACLS controls the three-dimensional flight path, speed, sink rate, and angular attitudes to allow a safe shipboard landing. The FACLS has limited control authority and is required to cope with carrier motion, air turbulence, sensor noise and delays, and the carrier's air wake. Fuzzy logic was used to create a system that combines elements of human pilot intelligence with more conventional automatic control laws. To do this, the FACLS has six fuzzy logic rule bases embedded in a classical control structure. The FACLS was tested in simulation and compared with the more conventional F/A-18 automatic carrier landing system. Results suggest significant benefits from fuzzy logic in both guidance and control tasks for aircraft outer loop control.<
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