It’s Only Common Sense: Marketing Isn’t Fluff, It’s Ammunition
Driving Innovation: Mechanical and Optical Processes During Rigid-flex Production
The Chemical Connection: Onshoring PCB Production—Daunting but Certainly Possible
Civil Certification of BAE Systems’ Active Stick Technology
October 16, 2018 | BAE SystemsEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation recently announced the certification of its G500 aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration, equipped with BAE Systems’ active sticks. The achievement marks a milestone in the history of flight controls, as the world’s first certified civil active inceptor – an accomplishment that earned both BAE Systems and Gulfstream the 2017 Aviation Week Technology Laureate Award. Every G500 jet will be manufactured with BAE Systems’ active sticks installed.
Active sticks — otherwise known as active control sidesticks or active inceptors — are the controls a pilot uses to fly the aircraft. Unlike passive controls, active sticks provide intuitive tactile feedback that helps pilots control the aircraft and maintain a stable flight.
“The certification of our active sticks on the G500 marks the completion of an eight-year development program,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls & Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. “We originally developed a variant of this technology for the F-35, and Gulfstream will now be the first in business aviation to offer our active control sidesticks to its customers.”
The G500 is a twin-engine business jet designed for high-speed travel, offering an unprecedented combination of speed, technology, reliability, safety and performance. Gulfstream is setting a new safety standard as the first in business aviation to offer active control sidesticks on its aircraft. Gulfstream delivered the first G500 on 27 September 2018.
BAE Systems has been providing its active stick technology for fixed- and rotary-wing military aircraft for more than two decades. When certified for F-35, it became the first certified military active stick in the world.
Decades ago, aircraft moved to digital fly-by-wire controls from mechanical controls, meaning much of the tactile feedback from pilot controls was lost. Active sticks return that feedback to the pilot, within a completely electronic system, which also offers significant weight and volume savings over mechanical controls. By providing an indication of any impending structural or aerodynamic operating limits — such as excessive bank angle or stall — the active sticks improve a pilot’s awareness and ability to control the plane.
BAE Systems is a leader in the design, development, production, and support of high-integrity flight and engine controls, and cabin and flight-deck systems for commercial and military aircraft. In fact, every second a flight takes off enabled by the company’s flight critical systems. The active sticks were designed, and will be manufactured, at BAE Systems’ facility in Rochester, United Kingdom.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Aircraft Wire and Cable Market to surpass USD 3.2 Billion by 2034
10/30/2025 | Global Market Insights Inc.The global aircraft wire and cable market was valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% to reach USD 3.2 billion by 2034, according to recent report by Global Market Insights Inc.
Honeywell Announces Updated Business Segment Structure Ahead Of Aerospace Spin-Off
10/28/2025 | HoneywellHoneywell announced its updated business segment structure ahead of the planned separation of its Aerospace Technologies business, expected in the second half of 2026, and its Solstice Advanced Materials business, expected to be completed on October 30, 2025.
Lockheed Martin Signs Strategic Partnership Framework with Korean Air
10/28/2025 | Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin is collaborating with Korean Air to explore opportunities to support the U.S. government’s (USG) Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF) initiative, as well as expand Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul & Upgrade (MROU) cooperation to third-country markets.
The Republic of Korea Selects L3Harris for Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft Program
10/20/2025 | BUSINESS WIREL3Harris Technologies has received a contract to deliver modified Bombardier Global 6500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force.
Molex Announces Agreement to Acquire Smiths Interconnect
10/17/2025 | MolexMolex, a leading global electronics connectivity innovator, announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Smiths Interconnect.
Copyright © I-Connect007 | IPC Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Log in