RPAS23-CP – A flight control platform for RPAS (UAS) of the category “certified”

The focus of the technology program RPAS23-CP [1] is the development of a platform-based flight control system for Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) or Unmanned Air Systems (UAS), which is to be applied to aircraft of the categories EASA CS-23, EASA CS-27 helicopters, and eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft). The flight control system provides full control capability to operate in airspaces C, D, E, and G according to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and in alignment with the European Air Traffic Management Master Plan for RPAS, Phases 1 and 2.

Both the flight control platform and the safety-critical part of the ground control station, developed by Aviotech, are fully certifiable according to avionics standards and comply with the safety requirements for the respective aircraft categories. The flight control system covers all normal flight procedures, contingency procedures (e.g., loss of the C2 link), and emergency procedures (e.g., engine failure). Even simultaneous occurrences of multiple failures, such as a loss of link and a loss of engine, are considered.

At this stage of the project, the flight control platform and the ground control station have been developed. The flight control platform has been integrated into the test aircraft (Cirrus SR22) of the University of Stuttgart. Flight tests began in July 2024 with a safety pilot on board. The first phase of flight testing, covering all normal operations, has been completed. Current flight tests focus on validating the automatic takeoff and landing, as well as contingency and emergency procedures. Unmanned flights are scheduled for late 2026.

Fig. 1: Flight-testing

Fig. 2: Hardware-in-the-loop test bench

^[1]  RPAS23-CP is a technology program co-funded by the national “LUFO” program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The partners of RPAS23-CP are: Aviotech GmbH (program coordinator), University of Stuttgart (Institute of Aircraft Systems, Institute of Flight Dynamics and Control), Diehl Aerospace GmbH