Patent US RE37331

A comparative dual-control strategy actuates forward and aft control devices simultaneously to significantly improve a missile's maneuverability/dynamic capability. A substantial, and measurable, operational effect of the inventive control strategy is a dramatic improvement in a missile's divert capability. To effect a maneuver in accordance with the inventive strategy, a missile's aft fins are initially deflected to generate a force OPPOSITE that conventionally used (pushing the missile's tail in the direction of the commanded maneuver) which simultaneously actuating forward thrusters to also push the missile's nose in the direction of the commanded maneuver but at a faster rate than the tail section. This causes the missile body to simultaneously rotate and translate in the direction of the commanded maneuver. Once a sufficient amount of aerodynamic force develops due to body rotation, the aft fins are deflected to generate a force that opposes the commanded maneuver to maintain a moment on the missile body and complete the commanded maneuver. An important benefit of cooperative dual-control strategy is that the missile begins to translate in the direction of the commanded maneuver immediately (conventional isolated aft control schemes do not accomplish this) and at a faster rate than is possible with either isolated forward control devices or an intuitive dual-control approach.