The prime issues raised in any all-electric airplane discussion are: (1) is the electric power system as reliable and trustworthy as a hydraulic power system; (2) can electromechanical flight control actuators perform satisfactorily, i.e. can the performance match that of hydraulic actuators; (3) can redundant electromechanical actuation systems (EMAS) be designed to equal the flight safety reliability of dual tandem hydraulic actuators; and (4) satisfactory solutions to be found or developed for dissipating the heat generated in actuators and power controllers. The first question should be inconsequential since it is assumed that the all-electric aircraft will be equipped with a fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system (FCS) which is already dependent upon an uninterrupted supply of electrical power. Design studies and hardware already developed show that the answer to question (2) is that EMAS outperform hydraulic actuators, particularly under load. The answer to question (3) is not clear. The projections regarding usage of EMAS and the future of the all-electric airplane must be based on the type of vehicle (small subsonic transport, large transport, or military fighter) and the economics involved. The economics in turn must be considered in terms of up front aircraft development costs and the long term life cycle costs.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The all-electric fighter airplane flight control issues, capabilities, and projections


    Additional title:

    Das vollelektrische Kampfflugzeug: Flugsicherheit, Moeglichkeiten und Zukunftssicherheit


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1984


    Size :

    9 Seiten, 8 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English





    Accelerations in Fighter-airplane Crashes

    Acker, Loren W / Black, Duglad O / Moser, Jacob C | NTRS | 1957


    Flight investigation of wing-gun fairings on fighter type airplane

    Nissen, J.M. / White, M.D. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1941