F-8 digital fly-by-wire project

The F-8 Digital-Fly-By-Wire (DFBW) project was an experimental digital fly-by-wire system developed by NASA at Armstrong Flight Research Center in the 1970s.^[1] It was the first digital fly-by-wire fixed-wing aircraft without a mechanical backup.^[2]

Experimental F-8 DFBW aircraft in flight, photographed in 1973

Electronics bay of the F-8 DFBW experimental aircraft. An Apollo Guidance Computer DSKY interface is visible in the gun bay.

Based on a modified U.S. Navy Vought F-8C Crusader aircraft, it used a Apollo Guidance Computer as its control system.^[3][4][5] The aircraft had the tail number NASA 802.^[3]

The project was supported by Neil Armstrong, who advocated for the aircraft to be transferred to NASA.^[3]

The system originally had an analog fly-by-wire backup, but this never needed to be used.^[2][3]

The system's first completely digitally controlled flight was made on 25 May 1972, piloted by Gary E. Krier.^[6]

The digital system was later upgraded to a triple-redundant digital system.^[2][3]