Technology

Damage Tolerant Controls Allow Safe Landings

New damage-tolerant aircraft controls will allow the safer landings of damaged aircraft. Military aircraft today face many threats, including surface-to-air mi...

Federal News Radio Custom Media@WTOPWFEDcustom

October 13, 2010 4:20 pm

< a min read

New damage-tolerant aircraft controls will allow the safer landings of damaged aircraft.

Military aircraft today face many threats, including surface-to-air missiles and weapons fired from hostile aircraft.

To improve the survivability of damaged aircraft, the Damage Tolerant Controls program – administered by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – is developing software to compensate for damaged aircraft control surfaces and engines, allowing pilots to land their aircraft safely.

The technology also applies to material failures that can impact flight performance in an unpredictable manner.

DARPA officials say it can also benefit commercial and other aircraft.