Discrete Time Transfer Matrix Method for Projectile Trajectory Prediction

Abstract

Due to the importance of the ballistic trajectory computation including the estimation of launch point and impact point problems, a fast and accurate model is needed to increase the weapon precession. A discrete time transfer matrix method is developed and presented in this paper to compute the trajectory for both fin- and spin-stabilized artillery projectiles. This method is based on discretizing the projectile continuous nonlinear system into a set of linear equations using a second-order Taylor series. These equations are collected into one transfer matrix which can be used in trajectory prediction with high computation speed by evaluating a set of algebraic equations instead of integrating differential equations. Results demonstrate that the presented formulation agrees very well with those obtained numerically using the well-known nonlinear 6-degree-of-freedom model.