Optimal flight trajectory control. Absolute optimum, analytical solutions, and algorithms. II (Q1286546)

The optimal control for the flight trajectories of flying vehicles in the Earth's atmosphere in a vertical plane is studied, using angle of attack and engine thrust as controls. Exact solutions are determined for degenerate problems with these controls and for a vehicle of constant or variable mass. An approximate solution to the general problem, its optimality estimate, and a numerical algorithm are derived. A comparison between the obtained results and the already known results in the field is given. The paper is a continuation of Part I [Autom. Remote Control 57, No. 3, pt. 1, 339-348 (1996); translation from Avtom. Telemekh. 1996, No. 3, 47-57 (1996; Zbl 0931.93046)], in which the problem is formulated and preliminary results are reported.