12 Apr 2002
BAE Systems Avionics has been selected by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, Texas
for the development of the Joint Strike Fighter Active Inceptor Sub-System (AIS). The AIS comprises
the pilot's side stick and throttle control units.
BAE Systems AIS technology was successfully proven during the Concept Demonstration Phase (CDP) of
the JSF programme, meeting all reliability and mission objectives. AIS is a new technology and forms
an integral part of the Joint Strike Fighter vehicle management system, which is designed to enable
the aircraft to offer its pilots unsurpassed carefree handling qualities.
BAE Systems Avionics at Rochester, UK, has been at the forefront of active controller development since
the early 1990s. Selection for the Joint Strike Fighter AIS is an important strategic step in inceptor design.
BAE Systems Avionics is now looking at possible future applications of the technology on helicopters, tiltrotors
and commercial aircraft.
As part of the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter team, BAE Systems is involved in key areas of the weapon systems
design, development, manufacture and support. This includes the mission systems, the vehicle system, autonomic logistics
and airframes, the design and integration of the aft fuselage, horizontal and vertical tails and the wing-fold mechanism
for the aircraft carrier variant.
BAE Systems brings with it years of Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) experience from the Harrier programme as
well as advanced lean manufacturing technology. BAE Systems has a significant stake in the avionics for the Joint Strike
Fighter, broadly based across the mission system and flight controls, involving both US and UK elements of the company.
