A8.1 - Retrospective review and lessons learned of System Helicopter Zero developments
- Event
- ETTC 2026 - European Test and Telemetry Conference
2026-06-09 - 2026-06-11
Nuremberg - Chapter
- Hybrid / Remote Testing I
- Author(s)
- G. Tachon - Airbus Helicopters France, Marignane (France)
- Pages
- 124 - 133
- DOI
- 10.5162/ettc2026/A8.1
- Price
- free
Abstract
Airbus Helicopters has introduced System Helicopter Zero (sHC₀) as a final ground-test rig to support its programs’ development in the 2010s. The sHC₀ is a non-flying enhanced integration bench at multi system level to perform system integration and verification before installing the equipment to the prototypes. The objective of the sHC₀ is to run tests at HC level before the prototypes’ availability and anticipate the detection of remaining design issues. A second test rig of this type has been developed recently by Airbus Helicopters, after the H₁₆₀ sHC₀ fifteen years ago. In two different contexts – a helicopter retrofit program versus a new helicopter program – which has led to address different challenges. We will be presenting the key objectives of a sHC₀ and the implemented solutions to meet them, as well as the solutions to overcome encountered difficulties and blocking points. Key words: ground-test rig, system integration, digital twin “Helicopter Zero” concept at Airbus Helicopters Airbus Helicopters has introduced for the first time the “Helicopter Zero” in the frame of H₁₆₀ development program (X₄) in the early 2010’s. Such “Iron Bird” or “Aircraft Zero” grou nd-test rigs have been used over the previous decades by the aeronautic industry [1]. The H₁₆₀ was a new vehicle platform and Airbus Helicopters has defined its specific implementation of such a non-flying prototype in the frame of this program. In the case of a new vehicle platform, like for the H₁₆₀, the Helicopter Zero consists of two different test rigs: the system Helicopter Zero (sHC₀) and the dynamic Helicopter Zero (dHC₀). The sHC₀ hosts all actual systems of the considered helicopter, except the powerplant and transmission systems: the avionic suite with primary sensors systems, the flight commands together with all control panels and displays fitted in a representative cockpit replica, the navigation systems, the vehicle systems (electrical generation and distribution, fuel, hydraulics, landing gear, etc.), the different mission systems (radiocommunication, intercommunication, hoist, etc.)...