Rule-based fault-tolerant flight control

Fault tolerance has always been a desirable characteristic of aircraft. The ability to withstand unexpected changes in aircraft configuration has a direct impact on the ability to complete a mission effectively and safely. The possible synergistic effects of combining techniques of modern control theory, statistical hypothesis testing, and artificial intelligence in the attempt to provide failure accommodation for aircraft are investigated. This effort has resulted in the definition of a theory for rule based control and a system for development of such a rule based controller. Although presented here in response to the goal of aircraft fault tolerance, the rule based control technique is applicable to a wide range of complex control problems.