Pitch Axis Control System Design for QF-4 Full-Scale Aircraft Target

The pitch axis control system of the QF-4 Full-Scale Aircraft Target is a digital control system which allows a remote operator to control the remotely piloted vehicle in an interactive mode or in one of the automatic hold modes. The interactive all-attitude pitch rate controller is designed to meet the MIL-F-8785C flying qualities specification for damping ratio and normal acceleration to angle of attack sensitivity at Level 2 or better for combat aircraft. The pitch rate controller is used as an inner loop for all of the automatic hold modes to provide increased damping and more accurate holding capability. The automatic hold modes include attitude hold, altitude hold, Mach hold, and normal acceleration hold. The basic analyses are presented in this report deriving the control models and determining the gain schedules required to meet system specifications.