GuideNav understands that the sensor suite in a modern flight control system (FCS) is foundational to aircraft stability, safety, and performance. Find out more >>
While the exact number varies by platform and mission complexity, most FCS architectures integrate between 20 and 100 sensors to monitor real-time dynamics, orientation, and environmental factors.
These sensors include inertial measurement units (IMUs), position sensors, barometric and differential pressure sensors, and angular rate sensors — each contributing a specific layer of input for maintaining control across flight regimes.
Advanced FCS designs increasingly rely on sensor fusion, combining inputs from multiple sources to enhance redundancy and filtering accuracy. This approach supports precise navigation and autonomous decision-making even in highly dynamic or contested environments.
Two inertial systems commonly deployed in this context are the GUIDE688B and GUIDE900 IMUs, each offering different capabilities tailored to the size, speed, and responsiveness required by unmanned or manned aerial systems.
As UAVs and autonomous platforms push operational boundaries, the sensor load within flight control systems will only grow more complex — driven by demands for higher fidelity and reliability in increasingly harsh or signal-denied conditions.
