Application of a Digital Multi-Input/Multi-Output Control Law with Command Path Blended Gains for the Pitch Axis Task-Tailored Air Combat Mode of the AFTI/F-16

Recent advances in flight control technology means that future multirole fighters will attain a much higher level of performance and weapon delivery effectiveness than is currently available in today´s fighters. Specifically, digital flight control, as recently demonstrated by the AFTI/F-16 can now provide multiple task-tailored control modes, each of which, can out perform any single, multipurpose mode. Further, a digital implementation permits a greater degree of design flexibility, even within a single control law. This paper presents the AFTI/F-16 digital implementation. This design utilizes multiple pitch axis control surfaces and a task dependent self adjusting gain technique to provide both an excellent gross acquisition capability and an excellent fine tracking compatibility, simultaneously, within the same control law.