Integrated Flight/Propulsion Control System Considerations for Future Aircraft Application

Flight and propulsion controls can effectively be integrated to provide operational benefits to the weapon system which cannot be achieved with either system acting independently. The key factor is the synergistic effect of digital computers and associated high-speed data links, engine condition monitoring, diagnostics, and shared power systems (hydraulic and electrical), thus providing potential improvements in reliability, life cycle cost, weight, and maintenance actions. This technical paper will address the integration concepts required for the airframe and the propulsion control configurations (for consideration in the design stages) to achieve the optimum weapon system configuration by assessing fiber optic and hardwired systems for future applications.