FUTURE CHALLENGES IN HELICOPTER FLIGHT/PROPULSION CONTROL INTEGRATION

Digital propulsion control systems are practical. All major U.S. engine manufacturers have demonstrated engine control with full authority digital electronic control systems sponsored by one of the three services. The challenge now is to take maximum advantage of this electronic control technology. To assure that this happens, the Army is sponsoring a feasibility investigation of Adaptive Fuel Controls; the Air Force is supporting a reliability study of “Full Authority, Fault Tolerant, Engine Electronic Controls;” and the Navy and NASA are pursuing a control concept definition program to investigate the basic changes in flight and propulsion control design rationale, criteria and methodology needed to take maximum advantage of these advancements in electronic control technology. This paper discusses the challenges presented by an advanced helicopter flight and propulsion control system and an approach to developing the technology needed to assure maximum flight safety and operational effectiveness with a reasonable ownership cost