Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) F-16–The Pilot Interface

The Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI)/F-16 Program is a technology development effort managed by the Advanced Development Program Office (ADPO), Flight Dynamics Laboratory (FDL), Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratories (AFWAL), Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. The overall objectives of this joint Air Force, NASA, Navy, Army and General Dynamics Corp. program are to develop and demonstrate technologies and alternatives for future fighter aircraft design. These objectives are to be accomplished in several phases. This paper focuses on the aspects of pilot-vehicle interface as it reviews the results of the first phase, Digital Flight Control System (DFCS), and the scope and objectives of the second phase. Automated Maneuvering Attack System (AMAS). The digital flight control system phase consisted of the development and flight testing of a triplex, asynchronous, multimode, digital flight control system which was integrated with improved avionics. Flight testing was conducted by the AFTI/F-16 Joint Test Force from the Dryden Flight Research Facility at Edwards AFB, California from July 10, 1982 through July 30, 1983. A total of 118 flight test sorties were flown, totaling 177.2 flight hours. An eighteen month flight test program of the Automatic Maneuvering Attack System began on July 31, 1984. This involves development and evaluation of improved sensors, integrated fire and flight control for automated maneuvering weapon delivery, and enhancements in pilot-vehicle interface.