Jet testing

An Air Force test pilot dives, banks and loop-the-loops the latest fighter jet at extreme speeds to push it to the limits. As the pilot completes a series of barrel rolls, ground crews analyze the plane’s structural data, which is streaming from two antennas mounted on board, designed to monitor the jet prototype’s safety and performance.

Until recently, this test would have required numerous runs and off-site analysis, but the US Department of Defense has awarded Brigham Young University researchers nearly $1 million in grant money to develop technology that streamlines the testing communications process and saves money.

“When the government wants to buy an airplane, it has to be fully tested—the more expensive it is to test an airplane, the more expensive the plane is,” says Michael Rice, the Jim Abrams professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering. “You don’t want to cut corners on reliability or safety, but if you could reduce expenses in testing, the airplane would be cheaper and everyone would be safe.”