Early model-based functional integration testing for aircraft systems architectures demonstrated on a hydrogen-powered propulsion unit

Citation
11th IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering, ISSE 2025
Contribution to Conference
11th IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering, ISSE 2025  
Publisher DOI
10.1109/isse65546.2025.11370079
Developing complex, hydrogen-powered aircraft and their on-board systems is challenging due to a vast design space, limited knowledge, and high uncertainties. Hence, the risk of undetected errors introduced during conceptual design increases. To address this, a method for early model-based functional integration testing as an integrated part of systems architecting is proposed. It includes simulation-based testing of functional behavior under nominal and off-nominal conditions based on executable architecture models, enabling the discovery of design errors and the down-selection of large design spaces. The method is demonstrated on a fuel cell-powered propulsion unit of a novel hydrogen-powered concept aircraft, showing its value for complex, novel systems in off-design conditions.
Subjects
Aircraft
MBSE
Systems Architecting
Functional Behavior
Testing
DDC Class
600: Technology