Maneuver Load Control and Relaxed Static Stability Applied to aContemporary Fighter Aircraft

Abstract

Fighter aircraft maneuvering performance improvements attainable through the application of maneuver load control and relaxed static stability have been established analytically. Relaxing static stability and using combinations of horizontal canards and high lift control surfaces improve maneuvering performance characteristics such as specific excess power and lift-limited load factor. Optimal control techniques are used to determine control system compensating network parameters to provide desired system performance and stability. These control characteristics are achievable with an existing fly-by-wire flight control system. Maneuver load control and relaxed static stability are shown to be compatible and complementary fighter design concepts.