10/29/93:  NASA FLIES FIBER OPTICS ON AIRCRAFT CONTROL SYSTEMS TEST

Drucella Andersen
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                      October 29, 1993

Don Nolan
Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, Calif.

RELEASE:  93-199

     NASA today started flight tests of a fiber optic control system that could
result in lighter, more fuel-efficient airplanes with more capable control and
monitoring systems.

     The tests using the F/A-18 Systems Research Aircraft at NASA's Ames-Dryden
Flight Research Facility, Edwards, Calif., are developing fiber optic systems
-- small bundles of light- transmitting cables -- that weigh less and take up
less space than the copper wiring in today's aircraft.

     Fiber optics also have better immunity from strong radio signals and
lightning, are free from short circuit arcing and can carry more electronic
signals.

     "Replacing copper wire with fiber optics where appropriate offers an
unsurpassed ability to transmit commands and data between parts of an
airplane," said Darlene Mosser Kerner, Chief Engineer and Principal
Investigator for the Systems Research Aircraft. "These flight tests will help
develop fiber optic components that will carry signals to and from flight
controls in tormorrow's civilian transport aircraft."

     Weight and fuel savings in transport-type aircraft engineered with fiber
optic control systems could be substantial compared to designs with traditional
copper wiring.  The long copper cables not only weigh more than fiber optics,
but also must be shielded with insulation to protect other aircraft systems
from signal "leaks."

     Signals also would travel more quickly between locations in an aircraft
equipped with fiber optic controls, because fiber optic cables do not have the
built-in resistance that copper cables have to electricity running through
them.

     NASA uses the Systems Research Aircraft to identify and flight- test the
newest and most advanced system technologies that can benefit both civil and
military aircraft.  Dryden engineers have replaced copper wire with fiber
optics wherever possible on the plane to support the flight tests.

     The tests are part of NASA's Fly-By-Light/Power-By-Wire program that is
developing lightweight, highly reliable, electro- magnetically immune control
and management systems for future civil transport aircraft.  Dryden and NASA's
Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, have been working with the U.S. Navy since
1985 on fiber optic control system integration.
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  Via FTL BBS (404-292-8761) and NASA Spacelink (205-895-0028)
