A feasibility study of active wing/store flutter control

Analytical investigations of active feedback flutter control for fighter type aircraft, specifically with respect to wing/store flutter control, show promise of significant benefits for both contemporary and future aircraft. The F-4 Phantom aircraft with an external store is idealized for a flutter critical configuration. Computer programs, based on both frequency and time domains, are used with conventional control system design techniques to generate feedback compensation for active control of flutter for this configuration. Results of linear analyses indicate the possibility of expanding the permissible flight envelope by 150 knots using the existing aileron control surfaces and establish preliminary requirements for control system hardware.