Reconfigurable control and fault identification system

The integration of health management and reconfigurable flight control is demonstrated in the NAVAIR/Boeing Reconfigurable Control and Fault Identification System (RCF1S) Dual Use Science and Technology program (Contract N00421-003-0123). The major research results include: 1) expansion of diagnostic capability by detecting levels of actuator degradation that can be used to reduce could not duplicates and false alarms in the current BIT systems, 2) fusion of system and component level health assessment results, 3) the ability to perform structured tests of control system actuator components during flight when loads and temperature environment are present to enable a more accurate health assessment with no impact on the flight trajectory or ride quality, 4) modification of actuator controls in order to make the best use of the degraded actuator remaining capabilities and/or extend the life of the component and 5) modification of system level controls to compensate for the degraded component/subsystem capability or damage.