Propulsion/Aerodynamic Integration in ASTOVL Combat Aircraft

The provision of STOVL capability and a Supersonic capability in a small combat aircraft simultaneously introduces design and operational penalties, freedoms and complexities. The respective minimization, exploitation, and simplification of these represents a unique challenge, which must be met in order to maximise overall cost-effectiveness. The key to this lies in the full exploitation of the potential for powerplant/airframe integration of the advanced STOVL aircraft, via the integrated Flight/Powerplant Control System (IFPCS).

The overall design philosophy and control strategies of the IFPCS are highlighted and discussed with particular reference to the single-engined vectoring nozzle aircraft. These include:

1. a)
   controlling the combination of propulsive thrust vector and aerodynamic force vector to achieve optimum aircraft response and optimum aircraft performance.
2. b)
   controlling the manner in which the powerplant generates the required thrust vector in order to achieve maximum powerplant performance consistent with safe and reliable engine operation.