Control Limitations on Static Unstable Airframe Using Two-Loop Acceleration Autopilot

An analysis for controlling a static-unstable tactical missile using two-loop acceleration autopilot was detailed. The rate feedback loop was firstly presented. The equivalent actuator dynamics was introduced and examined. Thus an overall stabilization condition combined with both low and high frequency cases was proposed. The lever effect led by inertial measurement unit was of benefit to a great controllable range. The results show that the autopilot control capacity is dominated by actuator bandwidth, and a compromise should be determined between the flight performance and the actuator requirement for a static unstable tactical missile.