Editing Relaxed stability (section)

== Intentional instability ==
[[Image:F-16 June 2008.jpg|thumb|The [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]] is an intentionally unstable design.]]

Many modern fighter aircraft often employ design elements that reduce stability to [[supermaneuverability|increase maneuverability]].  Greater stability leads to lesser control surface authority; therefore, a less stable design will have a faster response to control inputs. This is highly sought after in fighter aircraft design.

A less stable aircraft requires smaller control deflections to initiate maneuvering; consequently, drag and control surface imposed stresses will be reduced and aircraft responsiveness will be enhanced. Since these characteristics will typically make control by the pilot difficult or impossible, artificial stability will typically be imposed using computers, servos, and sensors as parts of a [[fly-by-wire]] control system.{{Citation needed |date=February 2014}}