Autonomous Shipboard Landing Algorithm for Unmanned Helicopters in Crosswind

Abstract

This paper introduces an algorithm for the autonomous shipboard landing of unmanned helicopters in crosswind, using time-delay control. The proposed algorithm is composed of two parts: the controller, augmented with time-delay control, and the guidance law. The time-delay control is actively adopted to compensate for the model uncertainties of a rotorcraft. The guidance law considers crash avoidance and reentrance procedures, as well as the effects caused by crosswind. The designed algorithm is validated using real-time simulations in MATLAB/Simulink and X-Plane.