Wind optimal trajectories for UAS and light aircraft

Finding the optimal path through a wind field could represent significant time and fuel savings to operators. This paper presents an algorithm to search for the optimal path through wind using elements of Particle Swarm Optimization. The best-path search algorithm relies on a technique to sample the wind ahead and around the inertial direction and to modify subsequent steps so that the path follows the direction where winds are more favorable. Several implementation choices, such as coordinate system, incorporating randomness in the best-path search and use of standard optimizers were evaluated. Results of potential gains in time and fuel burn savings obtained with optimized trajectories are presented.