Flight Test of an Adaptive Controller and Simulated Failure/Damage on the NASA NF-15B. Meeting Paper SFTE2006, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

Buschbacher, Mark and Maliska, Heather (2006) Flight Test of an Adaptive Controller and Simulated Failure/Damage on the NASA NF-15B. Meeting Paper SFTE2006, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

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Abstract

The method of flight-testing the Intelligent Flight Control System (IFCS) Second Generation (Gen-2) project on the NASA NF-15B is herein described. The Gen-2 project objective includes flight-testing a dynamic inversion controller augmented by a direct adaptive neural network to demonstrate performance improvements in the presence of simulated failure/damage. The Gen-2 objectives as implemented on the NASA NF-15B created challenges for software design, structural loading limitations, and flight test operations. Simulated failure/damage is introduced by modifying control surface commands, therefore requiring structural loads measurements. Flight-testing began with the validation of a structural loads model. Flight-testing of the Gen-2 controller continued, using test maneuvers designed in a sequenced approach. Success would clear the new controller with respect to dynamic response, simulated failure/damage, and with adaptation on and off. A handling qualities evaluation was conducted on the capability of the Gen-2 controller to restore aircraft response in the presence of a simulated failure/damage. Control room monitoring of loads sensors, flight dynamics, and controller adaptation, in addition to postflight data comparison to the simulation, ensured a safe methodology of buildup testing. Flight-testing continued without major incident to accomplish the project objectives, successfully uncovering strengths and weaknesses of the Gen-2 control approach in flight.

EPrint Type:	Other
Keywords:	Flight test, F-15B aircraft, Gen-2, IFCS, Neural network
Subjects:	Aircraft/Project: F-15B (01 - 09) Aeronautics: (05) Aircraft Design, Testing And Performance Aircraft/Project: F-15 IFCS Aircraft/Project: F-15
ID Code:	1100
Deposited On:	15 September 2006
Additional Information:	24 pages. Presented at the 37th Annual SFTE (Society of Flight Test Engineers) Symposium, September 11–15, 2006, Reno, Nevada.