A novel vector backstepping and sliding mode approach for flight control

In this paper, an approach for backstepping control together with sliding mode control (SMC) of a flight control system is developed. A multivariable control structure is proposed to provide an extension of single channels. The control algorithm is performed on a rigid body dynamics in the form of vector states which are the velocity vector and the angular velocity vector in a body-fixed coordinate frame to ensure the states of the system are driven towards the expected manifolds exponentially in spite of the presence of perturbations, i.e., parametric uncertainties and external disturbances, and stay there for all future time. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.