Differential Game Based Air Combat Maneuver Generation Using Scoring Function Matrix

Abstract

A differential game theory based approach is used to develop an automated maneuver generation algorithm for Within Visual Range (WVR) air-to-air combat of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). The algorithm follows hierarchical decision-making structure and performs scoring function matrix calculation based on differential game theory to find the optimal maneuvers against dynamic and challenging combat situation. The score, implying how much air superiority the UCAV has, is computed from the predicted relative geometry, relative distance and velocity of two aircrafts. Security strategy is applied at the decision-making step. Additionally, a barrier function is implemented to keep the airplanes above the altitude lower bound. To shorten the simulation time to make the algorithm more real-time, a moving horizon method is implemented. An F-16 pseudo 6-DOF model is used for realistic simulation. The combat maneuver generation algorithm is verified through three dimensional simulations