Overview of the JSF propulsion control system

Gonzalo Rey, Pratt & Whitney

This presentation will briefly introduce the Joint Strike Fighter and its propulsion system based on Pratt and Whitney F-135 engine. The control system will be described with a focus on on-board real time models. This 40 minutes presentation will conclude by enumerating some issues considered open at Pratt and Whitney (i.e. help wanted ads!).

On-board models enable multiple control system functions including state estimation for regulation, MIMO decoupling through dynamic inversion, fault detection and isolation and prognostics and health management. The greatest challenge is bounding and optimizing allocation of uncertainty or modeling error arising form two sources: the need to limit the amount of computation for real-time implementation and engine-to-engine variability and deterioration. The textbook approach of using disturbance models provides adequate real-time estimates of modeling and signal error.