A Model Matching STR Controller for High Performance Aircraft

This paper presents a development, as well as an investigation of a Model Matching Controller (MMC) design based on the Self-Tuning Regulator (STR) framework for high performance aircraft with direct application to an F-16 aircraft flight control system. In combination with the Recursive Least Squares (RLS) identification, the MMC is developed and investigated for effectiveness on a detailed model of the aircraft. The popular robust Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) controller is also outlined and used to represent a baseline controller, for performance comparison during four simulated test flight maneuvers. In each of the four maneuvers, the proposed MMC provided consistently stable and satisfactory performance, including the challenging pull-up and pushover maneuvers. The baseline stationary controller has been found to become unstable in two of the four maneuvers tested. It also performs satisfactorily-to-arguably poorly in the remaining two as compared to the MMC. Simulation results presented in this investigation support a clear argument that the proposed MMC provides superior performance in the realm of automatic flight control.