4.7 Electrically Powered Actuators

Three advanced, electrically powered actuators, flight validated on a NASA F-18, will lead to more electric designs for future aircraft, reducing reliance on an aircraft's central hydraulic system. Adopting electrically powered actuators for all flight control surfaces could lead to a 5 to 9 percent fuel savings on an all-electric passenger plane and a 30 to 50 percent reduction in ground equipment. A follow-on version of one of the actuators is being used on the space flight-rated X-38 Crew Return Vehicle technology demonstrator and is being developed for the X-33 reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator. Electric actuators are being considered for the primary flight control surfaces on a Joint Strike Fighter candidate as well.

Partners in the Electrically Powered Actuation Design program were the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, and NASA.

NASA POC:
John Sharkey
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