Radiation Effects to Flight Control Systems

This paper presents some of the results of programs being carried on at the Flight Control Laboratory, Aeronautical Systems Division, W-PAFB, O., in the development of techniques to design and evaluate high temperature radiation resistant Flight Control Systems. Sources of radiation environment being investigated are nuclear powered vehicles, nuclear bomb detonations, and space radiation. To date, tests performed in actual reactor environments indicate the feasibility of designing Flight Control Systems for certain nuclear applications. The results of programs to develop high temperature radiation resistant Flight Control components and systems such as synchros, pressure transducers, accelerometers, temperature amplifiers, tachometers, electronics, inertial components, and control systems indicates further work is necessary to meet all environmental criteria encountered in nuclear applications.