Electrochemical Primary Flight Control Activation Systems for Fighter/Attack Aircraft

Electromechanical Actuation Systems (EMAS) using advanced state-of-the-art technology offer significant benefits in primary flight control applications. Fighter and attack aircraft present the greatest challenge, but studies have shown feasibility for those applications. The use of samarium cobalt “inside-out” DC motors, solid-state power switching, and microprocessor control of commutation, current, and frequency are the advances that have made EMAS contenders for military aircraft applications.

Benefits include elimination of hydraulic systems, improved logistics, increased reliability, and lower life-cycle costs.

The studies addressed actuation of canard and rudder control surfaces on supersonic Navy-fighter aircraft.