Constant Altitude Minimum Time Turns to a Line and to a Point for a Supersonic Aircraft Aircraft with a Constraint on Maximum Velocity.

Optimal Control theory is used to determine the thrust and bank angle programs for minimum time turns of a supersonic aircraft to a specified point or line when constant altitude is maintained. A stall constraint, a maximum velocity placard limit, a maximum normal load constraint, and maximum and minimum thrust limits are imposed. Numerical results are presented for a typical supersonic aircraft at 25,000 feet altitude when the turns are such that an intermediate thrust arc at the maximum velocity placard limit is reached during the flight. These turns are characterized by a period of straight flight at maximum velocity. Author