Development of a framework for the solution of high-fidelity trajectory optimization problems and bilevel optimal control problems

The thesis presents new methods for the calculation of optimal aircraft trajectories as well as for the solution of special bilevel optimal control problems combining a superordinate optimization problem with subordinated optimal control problems. A scalable, multi-fidelity simulation model including an inversion controller constitutes the basis for the optimization process. Initial guesses for the optimization utilizing a non-linear 6-Degree of Freedom simulation model are generated from the optimal solution for a point-mass simulation model. The efficient solution of the bilevel optimal control problems is done by a post-optimal sensitivity analysis for the analytical calculation of the gradients.