System for assuming and maintaining secure remote control of an aircraft

A method of assuming and maintaining secure control of an aircraft in the event of an attack upon, or incapacity of, a pilot of the aircraft, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a secure transmission link by and between first transmitting and receiving means (“first T/R means”) on a first aircraft and second transmitting and receiving means (“second T/R means”) at a location remote from the first aircraft, thereby permitting secure communication between said first aircraft and said remote location;
• (b) initiating and executing a command to prevent on-board control of the flight of said first aircraft by any personnel on said first aircraft and transmitting said command from one of said first aircraft and said remote location to the other;
• (c) transmitting flight data from said first aircraft to said remote location via said transmission link;
• (d) transmitting flight control data from said remote location to said first aircraft via said transmission link;
• and
• (e) manually piloting said first aircraft by remote control from said remote location to actuate aerodynamic control surfaces of said first aircraft in substantially real time to control the flight of the first aircraft without guidance of an autopilot, until the need for said remote pilot control has ended or until said first aircraft has landed safely.