On the development of a six-degree-of-freedom model of a low aspect-ratio parafoil delivery system

Abstract

The future of the Army’s air delivery mission includes the use of precision-guided autonomous airdrop methods to resupply troops in the field. High-glide systems, ram-air parafoil-based, allow for a safe standoff delivery as well as wind penetration. This paper addresses the development of a six-degree-of-freedom model of a low-aspect ratio controllable parafoil-based delivery system. The model is equally suitable for modeling and simulation and for the design of guidance, navigation and control (GNC) algorithms. This gliding parafoil model was developed in the MATLAB/Simulink® environment. Apparent mass and inertia effects are included in the model. Initial test cases have been run to check model fidelity.