Validation of the F-18 high alpha research vehicle flight control and avionics systems modifications

The authors discuss the tests, tools, and techniques used for the validation of the F-18 high alpha research vehicle (HARV) turning vane control system (TVCS), and document the problems and their solutions. The HARV system modification to add a research flight control system (RFCS) and TVCS included the integration of avionics, engine parameters, and external inputs into the flight control system. This integration introduced flexible experimental components into the system. The validation of the HARV system modification included many aspects. The system design included the capability to extract internal parameters from the control system. The interface between the RFCS and the basic F-18 system contained checks and balances to ensure that the safety of the total system was not compromised by unforeseen circumstances. The testing addressed critical issues to ensure the backup system was not compromised by the addition of the experimental systems. The integrated test facility systems were used to automate repetitive tests and collect large amounts of data, and allowed the test team to concentrate on interpreting test results rather than the test system. The test team encountered problems with the system under test with the inability to sort through the information in an efficient manner, to maintain communications over large distances, and to obtain desired results in a timely manner