TWICE AS FAR, TWICE AS FAST


how to approach the program differently and succeed.


“We went and looked at published lessons learned from various programs, not just Army, but across the DOD. We identified a theme that [the] lack of upfront systems engineering attributed to increased cost and schedule on many programs,” explained Michelle Gilbert, technical management division chief at PEO for Aviation FLRAA Project Management Office (PMO). She and her team were then tasked with developing a strategy that would ensure rigorous upfront systems engineering while supporting an acceler- ated program schedule beyond historical timelines. “Tat’s what initiated the devel- opment of our digital engineering strategy. We found that if we did some upfront investment in digital engineering, it would


give us some of the tools that we needed to help support those two objectives.”


Initially, a technology demonstrator (constructed as a proof of concept) was built to demonstrate “twice as far, twice as fast” capabilities, but it was not fully compliant with all requirements. The FLRAA program is currently executing a detailed design to ensure that the FLRAA system meets all requirements (surviv- ability, sustainability, integrated mission systems, etc.).


As part of the Engineering and Manu- facturing Development (EMD) phase, Gilbert said, Bell Textron will build six prototype aircraft, as well as two “limited user” test aircraft—the prototypes will be used to verify that the system meets perfor- mance and airworthiness requirements


and to validate operational effective- ness, suitability, safety and survivability. Tere are also virtual prototypes, which are like aircraft simulators that accommo- date a pilot and co-pilot, with surrounding screens that emulate the view and behavior of the system itself. Tese virtual proto- types are used to help inform the design as well as the development of operator tactics, training and procedures.


THE DAWN OF NEW DIGITAL Digital engineering enhances FLRAA missions by enabling faster, smarter and safer operations. Tis includes the use of model-based systems engineering tools like Cameo—a collaborative environ- ment for defining, tracking and visualizing all aspects of a system through models and diagrams. Additionally, 3D models support design, manufacturing and assem- bly processes, streamlining development from concept to execution.


Gilbert explained that FLRAA is using model-based systems engineering to create the digital models of the systems archi- tecture and requirements, merging them into a digital twin that defines the system, demonstrates its behavior and predicts performance. “[Tis is] establishing a digi- tal thread which captures the relationship between system and program data. Te digital thread provides the PMO, stake- holders and Bell [Textron] with a better understanding of the system. We are also utilizing a collaborative digital environ- ment to enable near real-time access to this data.”


The performance models are used to emulate and simulate the performance of the FLRAA aircraft to understand the behavior and tweak flight control laws


(modif ications


GRASPING REALITY The mockup design of FLRAA’s extended reality lab. (Photo by U.S. Army)


to the f light


control system’s algorithms, which govern how pilot inputs translate into aircraft control surface movements).


6 Army AL&T Magazine Summer 2025


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