Millysmyth - Since you claim to be a "Aerodynamic Systems Intergration Officer at EADS" I would have thought you would be more than familiar than most about Airbus systems, rather than giving us a most emphatic,
a gust alleviation system is impractical and illogical
Taken from a A340 training manual.
Turbulence Damping Function
The purpose of the turbulence damping function is to damp the structural modes induced by atmospheric turbulence.
The function uses the Nz accelerometer and two dedicated Ny accelerometers. The PRIMs compute a turbulence damping command, which is added to the normal law command for the elevator and yaw damper.
This function is automatically monitored and becomes inoperative for the remainder of the flight, when a failure is detected. In addition, it may be manually inhibited by switching off the TURB DAMP pushbutton on the overhead panel, when it is considered that comfort is degraded instead of improved, and no failure is detected.
It is only available if the following conditions are met;
- Aircraft in flight
- Aircraft speed greater than 200 knots
- Autopilot engaged or normal law active
Aircraft within the normal flight envelope
IO540 - sorry could not find details on the 777, but certain documents do hint that it may be fitted with a similar system, but could find nothing definative.