Sliding mode guidance with terminal angle and latax constraints

An interceptor equipped with a guidance strategy that can strike a target at a specified terminal angle increases its effectiveness. Sliding mode control theory has been used to design such a guidance strategy, as it offers numerous benefits. In this paper, the role played by the interceptor’s lateral acceleration (latax) bounds in the design of a sliding mode controller to satisfy the terminal angle constraint is analysed. The paper also focusses on determining regions in the engagement space, as defined by the latax bounds and the controller parameters, to which, if the trajectory is confined, then interception is guaranteed. It is also shown that it is possible for the interceptor to become uncontrollable when intercepting stationary targets if the trajectory lies outside these regions. Simulation results are presented for the cases of intercepting stationary and constant-velocity targets.