Unmanned aircraft: The future in military aviation

Abstract

This paper presents a summary of the plenary talk discussing the emerging need for unmanned aircraft, recent advances in nonlinear control methods for aircraft, and recent flight test programs involving the demonstration of advanced nonlinear control technologies. Topics presented include: neural adaptive control and flight testing on the X-36; adaptive formation flight control for close formation flight: and flight testing of the X-45A Joint-Unmanned Combat Air System.