Preliminary flight results of an adaptive engine control system of an F-15 airplane

Results of the flight demonstration of the adaptive engine control system (ADECS), an integrated flight and propulsion control system, are reported. The ADECS system provides additional engine thrust by increasing engine pressure ratio (EPR) at intermediate and afterburning power, with the amount of EPR uptrim modulated in accordance with the maneuver requirements, flight conditions, and engine information. As a result of EPR uptrimming, engine thrust has increased by as much as 10.5 percent, rate of climb has increased by 10 percent, and the time to climb from 10,000 to 40,000 ft has been reduced by 12.5 percent. Increases in acceleration of 9.3 and 13 percent have been obtained at intermediate and maximum power, respectively. No engine anomalies have been detected for EPR increases up to 12 percent.