Flight Control Technology: An Overview

Abstract

Over the past twenty years, the spectrum of flight control technology has greatly expanded from the original concept of mechanical control1inkages and autopilots to one of multidisciplinary control integration technology. Control integration now exerts a major influence on aircraft design, air combat effectiveness, and aircraft survivability. Flight control functions as the information manager and nerve center between the pilot-and the vehicle optimizing the aircraft''s controllability, performance, safety, and mission effectiveness. This paper will discuss present and future flight control technologies, with emphasis in the pilot-vehicle interface. Moreover, modem flight control technologies will have a major impact on a broad class, not only of current manned. aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles, but through the year 2000 and beyond.