This report contains the results of The Airplane Actuation Trade Study program. The study, conducted in three phases, included establishment of actuation requirements; design of two airplanes (a baseline airplane and an all-electric airplane); and a trade study of the two airplanes including quantitative comparison data of weight, reliability and maintainability, and life cycle cost. The study results indicate that it is feasible to design a competitive power-by-wire actuation airplane. However, specific areas in hardware development need to be demonstrated through Research and Development programs to make the all-electric-airplane concept practical and low risk in the 1990+ time frame. Cost savings were identified with the all-electric airplane for the ATS mission. These came primarily from reduced secondary power system weight and complexity at some expense in ground checkout capability without running the engines. This study selected engine-shaft-mounted electric generators as opposed to airframe mounted accessor drives for the baseline airplane. Different mission/air vehicles will have to be studied individually to project cost and other benefits available from an all-electric airplane concept. The ATS study showed minor differences between hydraulic and all-electric applications, with a slight advantage toward an all-electric approach in terms of life cycle costs. (Author)
Application Actuation Trade Study
1982
265 pages
Report
No indication
English
Aircraft , Avionics , Hydraulic actuators , Fly by wire control , Flight control systems , Feasibility studies , Weight , Reliability , Maintainability , Life cycle costs , Structural analysis , Growth(General) , Survival(General) , Technology forecasting , Requirements , Advanced weapons , Fighter aircraft , All electric aircraft , Power by wire , Electric actuation