Photo: "Smart Plane" Technology Could Help Damaged Craft Fly Right



A modified F-15 aircraft outfitted with experimental software called the Intelligent Flight Control System takes a test flight past California's Boron Mine on December 6, 2002.

The flight system, still under development at NASA, is meant to help planes that experience major system failures maintain control and make safe landings.

Photograph by Carla Thomas/NASA


NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

50 Drives of a Lifetime

Listen to your favorite National Geographic news daily, anytime, anywhere from your mobile phone. No wires or syncing. Download Stitcher free today.