Advanced Materials Flight Control Actuators

Composite actuators for airborne systems have demonstrated up to 47% weight savings as compared to conventional (metal) actuators while satisfying all critical tests (proof, impulse and life cycling, temperature shock, vibration, burst) based on a high performance aircraft specification (F/A-18), Figure 1. In addition, the composite actuator is “jam resistant”, satisfying a survivability requirement for the Navy/Naval Weapons Center (NWC).