A Design Procedure for the Handling Qualities Optimization of the X-29A Aircraft

Bosworth, John T. and Cox, Timothy H. (1989) A Design Procedure for the Handling Qualities Optimization of the X-29A Aircraft. Technical Report NASA TM-4142, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

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Abstract

A design for handling qualities improvement was developed for the X-29A aircraft. As with any new aircraft, the X-29A control law designers were presented with a relatively high degree of uncertainty in their mathematical models. The presence of uncertainties, and the high level of static instability of the X-29A caused the control law designers to stress stability and robustness over handling qualities. During flight test, the mathematical models of the vehicle were validated or corrected to match the vehicle dynamic behavior. The updated models were then used to fine tune the control system to provide fighter-like handling characteristics. A design methodology was developed which works within the existing control system architecture to provide improved handling qualities and acceptable stability with a minimum of cost in both implementation as well as software verification and validation.

EPrint Type:	NASA Technical Memorandum
Keywords:	Control system, Design procedure, Handling qualities, Neal-Smith criterion, Optimization, Stability, X-29A
Subjects:	Aircraft/Project: X-29 (01 - 09) Aeronautics: (08) Aircraft Stability And Control
ID Code:	401
Deposited On:	16 Febuary 2005
Additional Information:	21 pages. Prepared as AIAA paper 89-3428 for presentation at the Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, August 14–16, 1989.