In a significant development towards Tejas Mk1A programme, the Digital Fly by Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) was integrated in prototype LSP7 and successfully flown on 19th Feb 2024.
- DFCC has been indigenously developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru for the Tejas – Mk1A.
- Digital Fly by Wire Flight Control Computer features Quadraplex Power PC based Processor, high speed autonomous state machine based I/O controller, enhanced computational throughput and complex on-board software complied to DO178C level- A safety requirements.
Digital fly-by-wire technology
- Digital fly-by-wire technology replaces the heavy pushrods, cables, and pulleys previously used to move control surfaces on an aircraft’s wings and tail.
- The technology uses a computer to send pilot commands by fiber optic wire to actuators that move control surfaces.
- Compared to a mechanical control system, fly-by-wire is smaller, lighter, offers improved performance, and is more responsive to pilot inputs. With digital fly-by-wire there are fewer parts to break or malfunction.
- The system is easier to install than mechanical linkages, thus lowering manufacturing and maintenance costs
