Reinforcement Learning Based Optimization of Autonomous Aircraft Performance

This research introduces an advanced flight control system for optimizing autonomous aircraft performance, leveraging deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to address the complexities of nonlinear flight dynamics. Using a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DoF) rigid aircraft flight dynamics model, we develop a Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) controller tailored for waypoint navigation and attitude stabilization tasks. A custom reward framework and extensive hyperparameter tuning enable effective training within a high-fidelity MATLAB/Simulink environment, achieving high rewards and precise control. Although computationally intensive, the simulations demonstrate robust performance across diverse flight conditions, with potential for real-world applications and future extensions to multi-agent scenarios.