TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter has demonstrated the interdependencies from aerodynamic configuration design, through the characteristics of the flight control system to the magnitude of the structural-coupling problem together with the methodology employed, emphasising how the need for closer integration of engineering design teams in each area for successful achievement of overall programme objectives has developed in parallel with more demanding applications of active-control technology. Adoption of phase stabilisation has been described as a major development in the design and clearance process for structural coupling as applied to EF2000, but the associated costs, in terms of additional and more exacting analysis, the requirement for additional flight test measurements and the implications for other, perhaps previously only loosely-related disciplines, have been shown to be high. Finally, an overview has been given of ongoing development work which includes examination of some of the fundamental issues, with the aim of reversing the trend of increasing costs.
