During the 1960s and 1970s, NASA helped develop and flight test the digital “fly-by-wire” system, which replaced heavier and less reliable hydraulics systems with a digital computer and electric wires to send signals from the pilot to the control surfaces of an aircraft.
Fly-by-wire is used today on many new commercial and military aircraft for the reasons it was first invented – to improve response to pilot commands, and to reduce aircraft weight and fuel use.
