The Automatic Low Speed Recovery Function for the Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft and how it was flight tested

Mark Bowman, MRAES Typhoon Project Test Pilot, BAE SYSTEMS, UK
Alex Bremridge, Senior Flight Test Engineer, BAE SYSTEMS, UK

Abstract

To meet the requirement for a care-free handling (CFH) capability, Eurofighter Typhoon has a function built into the flight control system (FCS) that prevents the aircraft from decelerating below it’s minimum cleared airspeed. This function is called Automatic Low Speed Recovery (ALSR). The function includes a Low Speed Warning (LSW) at which point the pilot should manually recover the aircraft back to an accelerating condition. Failure to take this action results in the FCS removing inceptor control of the aircraft away from the pilot and then executing one of 3 recovery manoeuvres.

The aim of this paper is to describe the general principles of the ALSR design and how the function was flight tested. Drawing on recent flight test experience on a Typhoon development aircraft, it is possible to highlight the likely employment of the system and state design goals for future implementation.