It's just a flight-control system that allows a pilot to fly an airplane without continuous hands-on control. Basically, it lets a pilot fly from New York to Los Angeles without white-knuckling ...

Global Postioning System satellites provide lcoations while ADS-B-equipped aircraft share flight information. Communications satellites (not shown) can link air traffic control stations.

digital flight control systems, contributing to the Vectored-thrust Aircraft Advanced Control (VAAC) Harrier and the Boeing X-32 Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) concept demonstrator.