Global Avionics Round-Up from Aircraft Value News (AVN)
Why next-generation avionics validation is becoming a value driver for aircraft leases.
Avionics are the nervous system of the modern aircraft, and the way those systems are tested is evolving almost as quickly as the technology itself.
Software-defined architectures, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted functions, rising cybersecurity expectations, and shifting certification standards are pushing test engineers away from static, single-purpose equipment toward agile, software-upgradable platforms designed to keep pace with continuous change.
The consequences extend well beyond the engineering floor. Robust, future-proof avionics testing increasingly feeds through to aircraft reliability and uptime, and ultimately into lease rates and base values.
At the heart of this transition is a move from hardware-locked testing to software-led capability. Legacy avionics test equipment was typically built for a narrow task and often struggled as new standards emerged.
Today, much of the functionality in both avionics and their associated test systems is defined in software, allowing field upgrades that extend useful life far beyond original specifications. That flexibility is becoming essential as aircraft grow more interconnected and certification regimes work to catch up with the pace of innovation.
Testing itself has expanded in scope and moved earlier in the development cycle. Validation is no longer limited to isolated component checks but increasingly encompasses full-system simulation. Iron birds and e-birds now support pilot-in-the-loop testing, bypassing, and restbus simulation, enabling embedded systems to be exercised under realistic conditions well before first flight.
Risk Reduction Tool
Digital twinning has become a central tool for risk reduction. As avionics architectures grow more complex, especially with the widespread adoption of multicore processors, accurate timing behavior is critical. It underpins both functional safety and the credibility of certification evidence, and deficiencies are increasingly scrutinized by regulators.
AI and machine learning (ML) are also beginning to influence testing workflows, even if they remain outside certifiable flight code. AI-assisted testing can help identify edge cases, shorten test cycles, and provide deeper insight into system behavior.
Predictive maintenance is another emerging application, with ML models trained on digital twins to detect early fault signatures before they manifest in service. While AI-generated code itself is not certifiable, AI-enabled testing is becoming a practical way to improve coverage and efficiency.
Customer demand is reinforcing this direction. Engineers want testing environments that allow a seamless transition from virtual design to real-world validation, moving from desktop simulation to component-level and full-aircraft hardware-in-the-loop testing without changing toolchains. This continuity reduces rework, improves traceability, and shortens time to certification.
Operational realities are also shaping how testing evolves. GPS re-radiation systems commonly used in hangars can interfere with aircraft navigation systems, a risk underscored by recent FAA safety alerts. As aircraft become more dependent on satellite navigation and integrated data links, validating system behavior in realistic electromagnetic environments is no longer optional.
Cybersecurity has likewise become inseparable from avionics testing. As aircraft networks expand and connectivity increases, demand for robustness testing is rising, even in areas where encryption is not yet universal. Lessors and operators are increasingly aware that cybersecurity weaknesses can translate into operational disruptions and regulatory exposure.
For aircraft owners, lessors, and financiers, these developments are not academic. Aircraft equipped with modern, upgradeable avionics and supported by rigorous, system-level testing are better positioned to absorb future regulatory changes, cybersecurity requirements, and evolving operational demands. The result is higher dispatch reliability, fewer maintenance surprises, and stronger appeal in the secondary market.
This article first appeared in Aircraft Value News.
John Persinos is the editor-in-chief of Aircraft Value News.