Rockwell Collins successfully controls and lands wing-damaged UAV
This is pretty slick. A large flying model of the F-18 was built with a wing that can be ejected in flight. A video of a test is presented, showing the wing being ejected, the plane beginning to roll, and then gaining control of itself well within ONE SECOND. The plane then proceeded to land itself autonomously.
The value of a system like this is hard to overestimate. Many aircraft are perfectly capable of flying and landing on the lift generated by only one wing. The problem is that when a wing is removed, the center of lift shifts away from the centerline of the aircraft towards the side with the remaining wing. The result typically is that the lift generated by the remaining wing will cause the plane to roll violently. There have, of course, been numerous examples of aircraft suffering damage like this in flight and surviving to a safe landing; at least one incident with an F-15 colliding with another aircraft. However, only heroic piloting can really stand the slightest chance of maintaining control. But if new onboard autonomous adpative controls are in place, even mediocre pilots – or, indeed, no pilot at all – will be able to safely control a massively damaged aircraft.
This B-17 was doomed. But a modern aircraft with similar damage and an on-the-ball adaptive flight control system just might make it home.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.