525 Aircraft Zero, The Relentless Advanced Systems Integration Lab

Development of the first fly-by-wire (FBW) commercial helicopter requires an integrated approach to design, testing, validation, and verification. The Bell 525 Relentless Advanced Systems Integration Lab (RASIL) - or "Aircraft Zero" - provides a platform for Vehicle Management System (VMS) hardware integration and associated validation and verification testing, including certification testing. The utility of the 525 RASIL is the ability to perform system testing ahead of and in support of the 525 flight test, envelope expansion, and certification program. RASIL testing is supporting the development of the 525 FBW control laws through initial design, open loop, closed loop, failure and certification related testing. The RASIL has seen advances in efficiency through automated testing and results verification, scripted failure insertion, and streamlined lab reconfiguration. Leveraging RASIL functionality and the wide array of testing conducted there, the 525 program achieves increased safety and a reduction in "real" aircraft flight testing that can be realized with commensurate cost and schedule savings.