For many years, commercial and military aircraft have relied on flight-critical systems and subsystems from BAE Systems for safe takeoffs and landings. The company recently added to its extensive flight control resume with the certification of its active interceptor systems (AIS) for G500 and G600 aircraft from Gulfstream Aerospace. These are twin-engine business jets on which the AIS equipment contributes to stable flight performance through tight control of flight systems.
The certifications are from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the G600 aircraft and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the G500 aircraft. These are the second set of certifications for the AIE equipment for civilian/business aircraft, with the first series coming a year earlier for the G500. AIS gear is typically used in military aircraft such as the Typhoon, F-35, and F-16 fighters.
The AIS versions of passive interceptors have electronically controlled actuators that send tactile feedback to a pilot through the flight control stick. The feedback is programmable for specific aircraft depending on customer requirements and can warn pilots of impending structural or aerodynamic operating limits. Active interceptors make it possible for pilots and co-pilots to see and feel each other’s control inputs in real time.
The military version of the technology was originally developed for use on the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft more than 20 years ago and the company continues to refine the technology. “Our active inceptors will provide pilots of these aircraft with increased situational awareness and enable enhanced handling to maintain a safe and stable flight of Gulfstream’s G500 and G600 aircraft,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls & Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems.
