The Fly-by-Light system for military aircraft

Abstract

This paper presents the authors’ recent documentary research on the benefits of using the Fly-by-Light system in Military aircraft and the understanding of why Fly-by-Light (FBL) is very promising for the further development of military aircraft. The Fly-by-Light flight system is characterized by the fact that the input control signals from the pilot, motion data, and air data sensors are sent to the flight control computer and from there to the actuators of the control surfaces through a fiber optic cable and the feedback from actuators sensors or other signals is received in the same way, through fiber optic cable connected to the aircraft flight control computer. The first major step in the evolution of flight control systems was the replacement of mechanical flight control systems with a Fly-by-Wire (FBW) flight control system. The next major step is the replacement of Fly-by-Wire (FBW) flight control system with a Fly-by-Light (FBL) flight control system which has some significant advantages such as: reducing the weight of the system, increasing the speed and volume of information transmitted through fiber-optic cable (input and feedback signals), keeping intact the accuracy of the signals along the entire length of the circuit; also, the optical fibers do not present any risk of fire, as they carry only light signals, and the temperature, humidity, and severe weather conditions do not affect the fiber optic cable, which can withstand a pressure of about 0.69 - 1.38 MPa without damaging the cable, unaffected by Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and the Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) generated by nuclear blasts. All the advantages listed above provide tactical and safety advantages for the military aircraft and its crew.