ITN journalist flies QinetiQ’s VAAC Harrier to demonstrate advanced control system

Demonstrating the prowess of the development of ‘Unified Flight Control’, which is a novel control concept developed for the Short Take Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), an ITN journalist with no previous flying experience last week flew and landed QinetiQ’s unique Vectored-thrust Aircraft Advanced flight Control (VAAC) Harrier, which is a research test-bed for the control system.

Prior to flying the aircraft, the journalist, Lawrence McGinty, spent just one day with the company ‘flying’ its VAAC Harrier simulator under the guidance of ATEC test pilot, Lt Chris Götke RN, who flew in the front seat of the VAAC during the flight.