An optimal one-way cooperative strategy for two defenders against an attacking missile

Abstract This paper investigates a cooperative strategy for protecting an aerial target. The problem is solved as a game among four players (a target, two defenders, and a missile). In this scenario, the target launches two defenders (defender-1 and defender-2) simultaneously, to establish a one-way cooperation system (OCS) against an attacking missile. A new optimal evasion strategy for the target is also derived. During the engagement, the target takes into account the reaction of the attacking missile, and guides defender-1 to the interception point by receiving information from defender-1. Depending on the control effort of the target, defender-2 can choose appropriate launch conditions and use very limited maneuvering capability to intercept the missile. For adversaries with first-order dynamics, simulation results show that the OCS allows two defenders to intercept the missile. During the engagement, even if one defender or communication channel is broken, the OCS still allows an interception to be made, thus increasing the target’s survivability.