http://www.qinetiq.com/home/newsroom/presspacks/fia2006presspack.Par.0001.File.pdf
ITN journalist flies QinetiQ’s VAAC Harrier to demonstrate advanced control system
Demonstrating the prowess of the development of ‘Unified Flight Control’, which is a novel control concept developed for the Short Take Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), an ITN journalist with no previous flying experience last week flew and landed QinetiQ’s unique Vectored-thrust Aircraft Advanced flight Control (VAAC) Harrier, which is a research test-bed for the control system. Prior to flying the aircraft, the journalist, Lawrence McGinty, spent just one day with the company ‘flying’ its VAAC Harrier simulator under the guidance of ATEC test pilot, Lt Chris Götke RN, who flew in the front seat of the VAAC during the flight.
The advanced control system developed for the JSF is designed to make the aircraft extremely easy to fly. Test pilot Justin Paines said: “Flying a Harrier is notoriously difficult and requires extensive specialist training and frequent practice along with the right aptitude from the start, but flying and landing the VAAC Harrier, with its advanced control system, is as easy as parking a car.”
In 2002, Lockheed Martin selected ‘Unified Flight Control’ for the STOVL JSF aircraft. This concept was pioneered and matured by QinetiQ in partnership with the UK MOD, JSF Programme Office and Lockheed Martin. The system enables the pilot to simply command the aircraft to go faster or slower and up or down whilst the fly-by-wire control system does all the hard work.
The development of the STOVL flight control technology has advanced significantly within QinetiQ in both guidance and flight control. From a limited vertical landing capability just 10 years ago it has progressed to today’s multiple research capabilities throughout the STOVL flight envelope – from take-off to rolling and vertical landings ashore and vertical landings at sea.
Last year the VAAC Harrier reached an important milestone in its risk reduction programme when it achieved the world’s first automatic landing of a STOVL aircraft on a ship.
😀 I want a go!
This control technology must be ideal for fly by wire helicopters too, it would totally revolutionize VTOL operations.
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