Time-optimal solutions of Parallel navigation and Finsler geodesics

A geometric approach to kinematics in control theory is illustrated. A non-linear control system is derived for the problem and the Pontryagin maximum principle is used to find the time-optimal trajectories of the Parallel navigation. It is proved that the time-optimal relative trajectories of the Parallel navigation are geodesics of a Finsler metric. It is notable that the approach has the advantages using feedback. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.