Dual-control scheme for improved missle maneuverability

A control system for a vehicle having a forward portion referred to as a nose and an aft portion referred to as a tail, said system comprising:

• (a) a controller configured to generate control signals;
• (b) a nose-steering device controllable by the control signals;
• (c) a tail-steering device controllable by the control signals;
• (d) said controller being configured to cause the missile to change direction of travel by controlling the nose-steering device and the tail-steering device so that (1) both the nose and the tail are initially pushed substantially toward a new direction of travel, after which (2) the tail is pushed substantially away from the new direction of travel.

A control system for a missile having a nose and a tail, said system comprising:

• (a) an autopilot controller configured to generate control signals referred to as nose-control signals and tail-control signals respectively;
• (b) a nose-steering device actuatable in response to said nose control signals;
• (c) one or more fins, referred to as tail fins, actuatable in response to said tail control signals;
• (d) said autopilot controller being configured:
• (1) to generate one or more of said nose-control signals causing the nose-steering device to generate a force pushing the nose toward a new direction of travel;
• and
• (2) to generate one or more of said tail-control signals that cause said one or more tail fins to generate forces that initially push the tail substantially toward the new direction of travel, then push the tail substantially away from the new direction of travel.