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BAE Systems to Deliver Advanced Control Sidesticks for JetZero’s BWB Jet.
On November 21, 2024, BAE Systems announced its collaboration with JetZero to provide next-generation active controls for JetZero’s blended-wing body (BWB) aircraft. This partnership represents a significant step forward in the development of sustainable aviation solutions and efforts to reduce emissions in the aerospace industry.
BAE Systems/JetZero Next-Gen Blended-Wing Body Jet (Picture source: BAE System)
Technological innovation plays a central role in this collaboration. The active controls BAE Systems will integrate into the BWB aircraft offer pilots immediate and intuitive feedback, enhancing safety and coordination. One of the most advanced features is the electronic linkage of the pilots’ controls, allowing perfect synchronization between them. Each pilot can feel the forces applied and observe the movements generated by their co-pilot, fostering improved cooperation and safety. Additionally, these active controls are lighter, more compact, and simpler than traditional mechanical systems, contributing to the aircraft's overall sustainability.
BAE Systems began developing active control systems in the 1990s with the goal of revolutionizing flight control technologies by replacing mechanical controls with more intuitive and efficient electronic solutions. In 1998, these systems were first integrated into military aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-35, where their precise haptic feedback and immediate responsiveness were highly praised. During the 2000s, the technology advanced further to meet the demands of high-end commercial jets, such as the Gulfstream G500 and G600. By the 2010s, BAE Systems had expanded the application of this technology to versatile platforms like the Embraer C-390 Millennium and Sikorsky CH-53K helicopters, collectively accumulating over a million flight hours. These systems stand out for their reduced weight, compact size, and ability to electronically synchronize pilots' controls, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical systems. Today, with their integration into JetZero’s sustainable blended-wing body aircraft, these active controls represent the pinnacle of innovation in flight control technologies, addressing both performance imperatives and sustainability challenges.
The collaboration between BAE Systems and JetZero to develop next-generation active controls is based on a strategic alignment around technological innovation and sustainability. Discussions began when JetZero, a pioneer in blended-wing body aircraft, sought technology partners capable of meeting the specific demands of its revolutionary concept. With over three decades of expertise in active controls, BAE Systems was quickly identified as an ideal partner.
The partnership was formalized in 2023 when JetZero received funding from the U.S. Air Force to develop a demonstrator for its blended-wing body aircraft. This program required lightweight, efficient, and highly integrated control systems, perfectly aligned with BAE Systems’ proven solutions. Following multiple evaluation and prototyping cycles, the two companies signed an agreement in 2024 to equip JetZero’s BWB aircraft with BAE’s active control systems.
From a military perspective, JetZero’s blended-wing body (BWB) aircraft offers significant advantages in terms of performance, versatility, and operational efficiency. Its design significantly reduces radar signatures, making it an ideal platform for stealth missions and operations in contested environments. The integration of the fuselage and wings also increases lift, enhancing payload capacity for transporting equipment, troops, or larger weapon systems.
The fuel efficiency provided by the BWB design, with a 30% reduction in aerodynamic drag, translates to extended range, making the aircraft suitable for long-distance strategic missions such as aerial refueling, intercontinental logistics transport, or intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Additionally, its capability to be configured for hydrogen or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) propulsion systems could reduce logistical fuel demands in operational theaters, enhancing military resilience.
Furthermore, the spacious and flexible cabin allows for adaptable internal layouts for a wide range of applications, including medical evacuations and airborne command centers. This makes JetZero’s BWB a versatile asset for modern armed forces, capable of addressing diverse operational needs.