ACTUATION SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVANCED SHORT TAKE-OFF AND VERTICAL LANDING POWERPLANTS

Most of the powerplant concepts currently being studied for advanced s hort take-off and vertical landing (ASTOVL) aircraft require significa ntly more actuation than conventional powerplants. This paper highligh ts the challenge being faced by the powerplant and acuation system des igners to produce an acceptable solution. Typical concepts and their o peration are described, and using this as a basis, it is shown that th e actuation system will impact significantly on the viability of the c oncepts. Most of the actuated features are flight safety critical in t he jet-borne flight regime, and considerable care will be needed to ac hieve a safe system without unacceptable penalties on cost, weight and reliability The projected timescale of the ASTOVL aircraft (entry int o service in 2010) means that there is time for radical solutions to b e developed and work to achieve these solutions is already underway.