Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
F-8 DFBW
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
1. F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft Marker
For the Digital Fly-By-Wire project, NASA technicians replaced cables and push rods in this F-8 Crusader with an electronic flight-control system coupled to a digital computer. The computer interpreted the pilot's control inputs and transmitted them to electric motors to actuate the aerodynamic control surfaces.
Fly-by-wire is lighter (no hydraulic mechanical system), more precise in its ability to deliver flight-control commands, and more efficient than the control systems it replaced. It comprises a system of multiple wired paths through which flight-control commands are sent to control surfaces, giving it the added benefit of redundancy in the event of damage.
The first phase of the DFBW program utilized the same type of guidance computer used by NASA astronauts to reach the moon in the 1960s. The best portable digital computer then available, it has just 38K of memory, 36K of which was Read Only. In the second phase the F-8 was used to validate flight-control computers later used on the space shuttles. The last F-8 DFBW flight took place on April 2, 1985.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is April 2, 1985.
Location. 34° 57.129′ N, 117° 53.309′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County
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Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley, specifically in the Central Valley, in the Mojave Desert, and in the Sierra Nevada. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft (here, next to this marker); F-8 Supercritical Wing Aircraft (a few steps from this marker); X-29 (a few steps from this marker); Lockheed F-104 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird (within shouting distance of this marker); NF-15B (within shouting distance of this marker); HiMAT (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); HL-10 Lifting Body (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.
More about this marker. Located in front the Armstrong Flight Research Center Visitors Control Building at Edwards Air Force Base.
The base is closed to the general public.
Also see . . . F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft. NASA website entry (Submitted on August 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California.)
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
2. F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft and Marker
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
3. F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on January 6, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
