Company Will Refresh The Fly-By-Wire Flight Control Computers

Boeing recently selected BAE Systems to refresh the flight control computers, or FCC, in the F-15EX Eagle II and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. This upgrade will increase processing power, support sustainment, and enhance cybersecurity, the company explains.

BAE Systems is the original FCC manufacturer for both the Eagle and Super Hornet. The company was founded in 1999 through a 10 billion dollar purchase and merger. It was named after its parents, aircraft and naval systems manufacturer British Aerospace (BAe), and defense electronics/naval ship builder Marconi Electronic Systems. Currently, BAE Systems is a developer of defense, aerospace, security, and information technology systems.

The fly-by-wire FCC upgrade is intended to improve safety, reliability, and performance in the fighter aircraft. Since both jets already utilize BAE Systems tech, the upgrade will simply modernize the existing electronics hardware and software. On top of this, the F/A-18E/F’s FCC will be receiving an extra processor to ease future developments.

Corin Beck, senior director of Military Aircraft Systems for Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems, commented that their “ advanced flight-critical solution ensures that these platforms will maintain fleet readiness now, and in the future, as well as provisions the aircraft to support the integration of new functions.”

Fly-by-wire technology, unlike hydraulic or cable-linked systems, uses purely electronics to control aircraft flight. This requires increased redundancy in the case of any electrical outages. Further, FCCs use onboard sensors to monitor aircraft movement patterns and make corrections on the spot for added stability.

BAE Systems’ FCCs can adapt in battle situations. They can reconfigure the manipulation of undamaged flight control surfaces to cover for the aircraft’s losses. This technology “allows the pilot to focus more on the mission and less on flying the aircraft,” the company states.

The flight control upgrade will be taking place at the company’s engineering and manufacturing facility in Endicott, New York.

FMI: www.baesystems.com