In the subject article [1], the authors are extremely critical of the mean-axis formulation of the equations of motion of an elastically deformable atmospheric flight vehicle. The authors make several sweeping statements and state opinions throughout the article condemning the mean-axis methodology. A few examples of such damning statements include
Based on such strong comments, one may readily conclude that the authors are asserting that the mean-axis formulation is fundamentally incorrect. However, in looking for “blind alleys” or evidence against the validity of the mean-axis approach, this reader found none. In fact, the authors state that “…the procedures used in Refs. [2,3] are essentially correct!” (p. 498, column 2). So the sweeping condemnations of the mean-axis method cited above are not justified. Furthermore, several other opinions and statements voiced are quite incorrect, and each of these will be addressed...
