On constructing a functional in the problem of optimal control (Q1114145)

The problem of constructing a functional in the theory of control of material systems is considered as an inverse problem of dynamics. It was \textit{A. M. Letov} [Dynamics of flight and control. (Nauka, Moscow 1969)] who first became aware of the practical value of the inverse problems in optimal control. He solved a number of inverse problems of choosing the optimal functional in problems of controlling aircraft. The approach was also successfully used in problems of robotics [\textit{V. V. Beletskij}, Bipedal walk: Model problems of dynamics and control (Nauka, Moscow 1984)]. The procedure used in solving inverse problems makes it possible to combine the merits and virtues of the engineering problems based on formulating the control laws from the conditions of motion according to a given program, with the possibilities offered by methods of optimal control theory.