The development of autonomous flight control systems for optionally manned rotary-wing aircraft

This article examines the evolution of fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control systems for rotary-wing aircraft, from early analogue to modern autonomous flight control systems. Such flight control systems can replace a pilot in case of adverse weather conditions and extreme situations, thereby enhancing flight safety. Proper integration of autonomous flight with manual control will minimize the critical human factor-related causes of flight accidents, such as collision with ground obstacles or loss of spatial orientation in severe meteorological conditions. Autonomous piloting mode implies monitoring and verification of input signals from the pilot and their comparison with targets of flight mission and current weather conditions (and restrictions imposed in connection with it). The system can include the pilot in the control loop and notify him of this, eliminating his activity in case of emergency. Modern autonomous control systems are considered based on the example of the flying testbed RASCAL JUH-60A, which was used to test elements of the FBW for the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter during its modernization.