Precise tactile feedback in the pilot’s hand
BAE Systems has been leading the way in flight controls for more than 50 years. Our active inceptor systems take flight controls to the next level for both military and commercial aircraft.
As part of an aircraft’s fly-by-wire flight control system, active sidesticks, also known as active inceptors, provide both static and dynamic tactile force feedback directly into the pilot’s hand. The change in the stick's feel advises the pilot to respond. It sends cues to warn pilots of structural or aerodynamic operating limits – giving them improved situational awareness to maintain a safe and stable flight.
BAE Systems’ active sidesticks provide the reliability of a traditional mechanical system at a lower cost and weight, with less maintenance, due to their simplified design.
The benefits of active inceptor systems include:
- Tactile feedback delivered straight into the pilot’s hand
- Unrestricted view of displays, whilst providing pilot-to-pilot situational awareness
- Simplified control laws and more intuitive control modes
- Single-box configuration reduces size and weight, when compared to traditional mechanical systems
- Reduces fuel consumption on the aircraft
- Programmable features make the sidesticks scalable and adaptable to nearly any platform
- Improved handling in low-speed flight and demanding operational environments
- Reduced maintenance costs, due to the simplified design
- Dual pilot aircraft can link the controls across the cockpit, allowing each pilot to know what the other is doing
- Linking across the cockpit reduces training time
Why choose BAE Systems for your active sidesticks?
BAE Systems is a world leader in active sidesticks technology, first flying the safety-critical active sticks in 2000.
Since then, BAE Systems has earned 15 flight-safety certifications for its active sticks and has logged more than 1.4 million flight hours.
We continue to develop new technology to provide pilots an enhanced level of feedback and control, using lighter, simpler components that free up space in the cockpit and reduce fuel consumption.
We remain committed to leading the pace of innovation by developing next-generation active controls technology across fixed wing, rotary, civil and military applications.
Our active inceptor systems are currently in use on:
- Commercial aircraft: Gulfstream family (including G400- G800)
- Military aircraft: Lockheed Martin F-35, Embraer KC-390, Boeing CH-47 Chinook, and Sikorsky CH-53 King Stallion