B-2 Flight control system development flight test lessons learned

摘要

The B-2 aircraft completed Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) flitht test in June 1997.This marked the end to a highly successful program where many challenges were overcome to produce a revolutionary combat capable aircraft.The unique flying wing configuration,large airspeed and altitude envelope,and emphasis on low observability presented the flight control development team with a formidable task.The goal of B-2 Flight Control System (FCS) development was to provide an aircraft with satisfactory handling qualities during all phases of flight,for all vehicle configurations,and under a wide range of atmospheric conditions.Meeting this goal required integration of the flight control,aerodynamic,structural,propulsion,subsystem,and avionics disciplines.This integrated approach was used in the flight test program provides a technical overview of selected unique B-2 aircraft characteristics and FCS design challenges encountered.Flight test results,anomalies encountered.solutions implemented,and test management techniques will also be discussed.the methods outlined and lessons learned may be useful for testing current and future aircraft.