Development of Active Control Technology for the Next Generation of Combat Aircraft

Abstract

In the mid 1970s British Aerospace recognized that active control technology offered considerable benefits in terms of improved performance and combat effectiveness for future combat aircraft. However, the introduction of such technology carried with it a significant development risk. In order to minimize that risk, a series of flight demonstrator programmes were initiated. This paper describes the principles of active control and the very successful fly-by-wire Jaguar and experimental aircraft demonstrator flight test programmes which progressively demonstrated the viability and benefits of active controls to the extent that this technology is being fully utilized on the new European fighter aircraft.