JetZero names five companies who will supply flight control systems for its BWB demonstrator
LONG BEACH, Calif. - JetZero in Long Beach, Calif. announced it has finalized partnership agreements with tier-one suppliers for the key components of the flight control system on its full-scale blended wing body (BWB) demonstrator, which it plans to fly for the first time in 2027. The hardware being installed has been selected for its established use on Part 25 commercial air transport aircraft, which the company says minimizes certification barriers and reduces risks.
BAE Systems in London will supply pilot controls and actuator controllers for the project. The company’s active control sidesticks provide pilots with responsive feedback, enabling more precise use of the aircraft’s capabilities. This technology also allows electronic linking between pilot controls, enhancing cockpit coordination by letting each pilot sense the forces and movements applied by the other. BAE’s actuator control units convert pilot inputs into commands for the aircraft’s control surfaces.
Moog in Elma, N.Y. will supply the complete set of flight control actuators. The company has a long-standing reputation in providing control systems for major commercial aircraft platforms, including design, testing, and certification processes.
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Safran Electronics & Defense in Alexandria, Va. will deliver key pilot control components, including throttle, rudder brake pedal, and speedbrake levers. These components will be used in both development labs and on the demonstrator aircraft.
Thales in Paris is providing its Fly-by-Wire flight control computers, used in over 12,000 aircraft globally. Thales’s technology aims to improve flight safety and reduce pilot workload through advanced flight control features.
Woodward in Fort Collins, Colo. will supply the Trim Control Module, used for pitch and yaw adjustments. The system uses Rotary Variable Differential Transformers manufactured at Woodward’s facility in Niles, Illinois, for precise control.
"Finalizing supplier contracts for the Flight Control Systems is a significant milestone on our journey from design, to test, to demonstration," said Dan da Silva, chief operating officer for JetZero. "It's just the latest example of the steady progress JetZero is making toward building this airplane. These suppliers are the best at what they do, and we're so pleased to see their shared enthusiasm and belief in the blended-wing airplane we're building at JetZero."
Jamie Whitney
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