BAE Systems has completed the first flight test of the digital advanced flight control system (DAFCS) for the Boeing CH-47 Chinook. The flight comes just over a year since the contract award to BAE and is a major step towards replacing a legacy system as Boeing undertakes a programme upgrade to enhance the helicopter to the new -F standard.
Boeing says the technology provides significantly greater reliability, maintainability and flexibility than the existing analogue control. It also includes a built-in diagnostic system for identifying and analysing system faults and failures.
"The CH-47 has been in service with the US Army for more than 40 years and still represents a benchmark in capability and versatility," says Sean Bond, vice president of aerospace controls for BAE Systems.
Source: Flight Daily News
