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An automatic takeoff and landing system has been developed for remotely piloted vehicles (RPV) operating from prepared runways. This system consists of a scanning beam microwave landing guidance system and a high performance flight control system. Interfaced with the automatic system is a remote operator, who, using a special control station, monitors system performance, evaluates approach quality and may remotely control the vehicle in the event of contingencies. This paper describes briefly the RPV Automatic Takeoff and Landing (Autoland) system development program: the design approach, simulation and flight test results, and conclusions.

Typical Mach 6 hypersonic cruise vehicle data are used to define temperature, loads, and criteria, and to identify potential materials and structural concepts for air-induction systems associated with a two-dimensional variable-geometry inlet. It was found that the superalloys can be used at temperatures below 1600 F for 500 hr of life to satisfy the requirements of all air-induction system areas, by cooling with liquid hydrogen. The thermostructural concepts found to be most attractive for use in inlet designs are radiation-cooled surface panels with an insulated substructure and regeneratively-cooled plates over surface panel structures supported by an insulated substructure.

Fly-by-wire in aircraft flight control design is more than adding a simple wire -- it is a sophisticated system that changes the way aircraft are designed and the way they fly. Prepared and written by experts who directed or staffed fly-by-wire research and development programs, this book includes explanations of the system's design and application, providing both the "how" and the "why" of this remarkable technology. Chapters include: Introduction Background of Fly-by-Wire Required Programs The Survivable Flight Control System (SFCS) Program Technology Transition and Application