A Dynamic Approach to Military Avionics Systems Testing,

The pre-flight ground test philosophy of the Warton Div. of British Aerospace PLC is based on the construction of an avionics systems development rig. Although the rig concept remains central to our philosophy, rig testing techniques have changed as avionics systems have increased in complexity and influence throughout the aircraft. Techniques presently employed are made possible due to two main factors Adoption of an integrated approach towards the use of and interaction between the avionics rig and other development facilities and Increase in the use of computing for data acquisition and simulation tasks. This has resulted in a shift in emphasis from static to dynamic system testing and the avionics development rig for the Tornado F Mk 2 is capable of simulating flight. Thus, it is possible to exercise the avionics systems throughout the aircraft mission envelope on the rig before flight testing begins. This capability represents a considerable cost saving in development of avionics systems since reductions in the aircraft flight test program have been achieved and flight testing time is being used more effectively.