NASA Advanced Control Technology: An Overview

NASA's current and projected advanced control technology programs for future transport aircraft include the design and verification of full flight envelope autopilots, the development and flight test of all-digital fly by wire systems, the evolution of low cost innovative avionics concepts such as split surface stability augmentation systems, the evaluation of integrated propulsion control and cooperative autopilot/propulsion control systems, the application of active control systems to short haul and long haul transports, and the demonstration of reconfigured active control aircraft. Key technical features and anticipated contributions of these technologies are outlined.