Editing Fly-by-wire (section)

== Further developments ==

===Fly-by-optics===<!-- This section is linked from Airship Industries -->

[[File:'Sea Eagle 501' Atsugi route 4 departure. (8382546777).jpg|thumb|Kawasaki P-1]]

Fly-by-optics is sometimes used instead of fly-by-wire because it offers a higher data transfer rate, immunity to electromagnetic interference and lighter weight. In most cases, the cables are just changed from electrical to [[optical fiber]] cables. Sometimes it is referred to as "fly-by-light" due to its use of fiber optics.<ref>Jane's Aviation Review 1982-83 - Taylor, Michael J. H. (ed.). {{ISBN|0710602162}}</ref> The data generated by the software and interpreted by the controller remain the same. Fly-by-light has the effect of decreasing electro-magnetic disturbances to sensors in comparison to more common fly-by-wire control systems. The [[Kawasaki P-1]] is the first production aircraft in the world to be equipped with such a flight control system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iiss.org/en/militarybalanceblog/blogsections/2015-090c/september-a013/japans-p1-leads-defence-export-drive-125e|title=Japans P1 leads defence export drive|website=iiss.org|access-date=24 April 2018|archive-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003123148/https://www.iiss.org/en/militarybalanceblog/blogsections/2015-090c/september-a013/japans-p1-leads-defence-export-drive-125e|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Power-by-wire ===

Having eliminated the mechanical transmission circuits in fly-by-wire flight control systems, the next step is to eliminate the bulky and heavy hydraulic circuits. The hydraulic circuit is replaced by an electrical power circuit. The power circuits power electrical or self-contained electrohydraulic actuators that are controlled by the digital flight control computers. All benefits of digital fly-by-wire are retained since the power-by-wire components are strictly complementary to the fly-by-wire components.

The biggest benefits are weight savings, the possibility of redundant power circuits and tighter integration between the aircraft flight control systems and its avionics systems. The absence of hydraulics greatly reduces maintenance costs. This system is used in the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]] and in [[Airbus A380]] backup flight controls. The [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787]] and [[Airbus A350]] also incorporate electrically powered backup flight controls which remain operational even in the event of a total loss of hydraulic power.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.fzt.haw-hamburg.de/pers/Scholz/dglr/hh/text_2007_09_20_A350XWB.pdf| title = A350 XWB family & technologies}}</ref>

=== Fly-by-wireless ===

Wiring adds a considerable amount of weight to an aircraft; therefore, researchers are exploring implementing fly-by-wireless solutions. Fly-by-wireless systems are very similar to fly-by-wire systems, however, instead of using a wired protocol for the [[physical layer]] a wireless protocol is employed.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}}

In addition to reducing weight, implementing a wireless solution has the potential to reduce costs throughout an aircraft's life cycle. For example, many key failure points associated with wire and connectors will be eliminated thus hours spent troubleshooting wires and connectors will be reduced. Furthermore, engineering costs could potentially decrease because less time would be spent on designing wiring installations, late changes in an aircraft's design would be easier to manage, etc.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20070013704/downloads/20070013704.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127232114/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20070013704/downloads/20070013704.pdf |archive-date=2021-11-27 |url-status=live|title="Fly-by-Wireless": A Revolution in Aerospace Vehicle Architecture for Instrumentation and Control}}</ref>

=== Intelligent flight control system ===

A newer flight control system, called [[intelligent flight control system]] (IFCS), is an extension of modern digital fly-by-wire flight control systems. The aim is to intelligently compensate for aircraft damage and failure during flight, such as automatically using engine thrust and other avionics to compensate for severe failures such as loss of hydraulics, loss of rudder, loss of ailerons, loss of an engine, etc. Several demonstrations were made on a [[flight simulator]] where a [[Cessna]]-trained small-aircraft pilot successfully landed a heavily damaged full-size concept jet, without prior experience with large-body jet aircraft. This development is being spearheaded by [[NASA]] [[Armstrong Flight Research Center|Dryden Flight Research Center]].<ref>[http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-076-DFRC.html Intelligent Flight Control System] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324185530/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-076-DFRC.html |date=24 March 2010 }}. ''IFCS Fact Sheet''. NASA. Retrieved 8 June 2011.</ref> It is reported that enhancements are mostly software upgrades to existing fully computerized digital fly-by-wire flight control systems. The [[Dassault Falcon 7X]] and [[Embraer Legacy 500]] business jets have flight computers that can partially compensate for engine-out scenarios by adjusting thrust levels and control inputs, but still require pilots to respond appropriately.<ref>[http://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/jets/fly-by-wire-fact-versus-science-fiction Flying Magazine Fly by Wire]. "Fly by Wire: Fact versus Science Fiction". Flying Magazine. Retrieved 27 May 2017.</ref>