VAAC HARRIER-ADVANCED STOVL CONTROL GUIDANCE RESEARCH

摘要

The Vectored-thrust Aircraft Advanced flight Control (VAAC) Harrier has been conducting research in to the application of advanced control concepts for STOVL aircraft for a considerable number of years. Recently this research has been extended to include the integration of high integrity GPS-based guidance equipment. With its origins as the second pre-production TMk2, Harrier XW175 has made a major contribution to the UK Harrier fleet's operational capability and some of this past work is described briefly. Having been converted to the VAAC it is now conducting research, which if exploited fully, will ensure that the next generation of STOVL aircraft will meet its operational and life-cycle cost requirements. Two concepts for advanced STOVL control, as implemented in VAAC, are detailed along with potential solutions to allow precise control for hover positioning. The procedural concept for a GPS-based autonomous recovery system is also described. A resume of the most important trials conducted to date is presented, including the recent embarkation in a Royal Navy INVINCIBLE class aircraft carrier. Finally, the proposed future development of an autonomous landing capability is described.