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Context on military aircraft controls
Aircraft controls for military aircraft are mainly designed to stabilize and improve performance throughout the flight envelope. This becomes a challenging task because military aircraft also operate in supersonic regimes. The pilot cannot fly these types or aircraft without the aid of full-authority flight control system that actively stabilizes it.
Aircraft stabilization is achieved through a set of control laws (CLAW) that regulate the aircraft attitude according to the pilot commands using a control stick located in the cockpit. This stick not directly connected to the control surfaces, but acts as a reference to the control system. CLAW interprets pilot inputs and, with aid of a feedback with the measured data, enables the aircraft to perform the maneuver. CLAW aims to ensure that the aircraft always stays within its prescribed flight mechanics, safety limitations and structural boundaries during all kinds of maneuvers.
The environment effects on the control system is another critical condition. Most modern military aircraft include variable exhaust nozzles that accelerate the hot gas incoming from the turbine by modifying the output area, generating more thrust. The optimum…
