BAE Systems are set to design, develop, and integrate a fly-by-wire flight control system for the new AS2 aircraft.
BAE Systems say they have received a contract from Aerion Supersonic to supply the flight control system for its new AS2 supersonic business jet. BAE Systems will design, develop, and integrate a fly-by-wire flight control system, including active inceptors, for the new aircraft.
“We are leveraging decades of expertise and advanced technologies to architect a flight control system that will enable the future of flight,” Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions for BAE Systems, was quoted as saying in a news release.
“We are proud to be collaborating with Aerion Supersonic on this next-generation flight control system for the AS2 aircraft.”
The new flight control system adds to BAE Systems’ more than 40 years of experience developing and integrating fly-by-wire systems.
“The system builds on the company’s proven core technology, but uses smaller and lighter components to allow for integration on the AS2 aircraft. The system will comprise active inceptors, primary flight control computers, actuator control units, and remote electronics units.”
The firm also say that their active inceptors will provide AS2 pilots with static and dynamic tactile force feedback in the palm of their hand. Unlike a passive system, the active inceptor includes electronic controlled actuators that send tactile feedback to the pilot through the flight stick.
“The feedback warns pilots of structural or aerodynamic operating limits – giving them improved situational awareness to maintain a safer, more stable flight. Aerion’s AS2 private jet is the first supersonic aircraft to use only synthetic fuel and reach supersonic speeds without the need for an afterburner.
The business jet will enhance point-to-point travel with a maximum speed of Mach 1.4 – approx. 1,000 miles per hour – at 57,000 feet. The AS2 will commence production from the company’s new global headquarters and manufacturing and research campus – Aerion Park – in Melbourne, Florida, in 2023.”
The flight control system development will be conducted at BAE Systems facilities in Endicott, New York, and Rochester, U.K.
I must admit I am interested in the AS2 medium bypass engines (GE) that can cruise at Mach 1.4. Would be great for a stealthy F-111 replacement that could fly 1500-2000 miles, drop its weapons & fly home without having to air refuel.
BAE, Reaction Engines and Rolls-Royce are pioneering super and hypersonic flight. Something to be proud of
Well didn’t an American company buy into it also!!! Lockheed Martin wasn’t it… once again!
Levi, I’d be proud if it was something I had done, I’m not sure there’s something to be proud of when a multinational corporation has come up with it.
Another interesting supersonic airliner in the pipeline is the Boom Overture, which will fly at a maximum of Mach 2.2, probably using 3 x Rolls Royce medium bypass, non afterburning turbofans.
Also the Virgin Galactic Mach 3 aeroplane, which will also probably use Rolls Royce engines.
The US Air Force has just awarded a contract to Hermeus, a US company, to develop a Mach 5 airliner for the US’s Presidential and Executive fleet. Hermeus won the contract after designing, building and successfully testing a prototype engine capable of that Mach 5 speed.
A desktop sized scale model. And they didnt design the engine, its an off the shelf engine just being fed by a pre-cooler.
They tested a Mach 5 prototype engine.
https://www.greencarcongress.com/2020/08/20200811-hermeus.html
Using our pre-cooler technology, we’ve taken an off-the-shelf gas turbine engine and operated it at flight speed conditions faster than the famed SR-71. In addition, we’ve pushed the ramjet mode to Mach 4-5 conditions, demonstrating full-range hypersonic air-breathing propulsion capability.
—Glenn Case, Hermeus’ CTO
Exactly, its like putting liquid cooling on a graphics card to improve its performance. Doesnt mean you invented that graphics card.