Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 8, 2025. Applied Dynamics International (ADI), a global leader in aerospace innovation, and JetZero, a pioneer in developing the Z4 all-wing aircraft, today announced the successful achievement of a key demonstrator milestone.

 

JetZero's Flight Qualification Laboratory (FQL) achieved a significant milestone in the successful integration of pilot controls, including Safran throttle, rudder pedals, flaps, and speedbrake handles; a Woodward trim panel; and a BAE Systems active control stick. JetZero's FQL is an advanced test and evaluation platform where pilots and engineers can rapidly develop flight control laws (CLAWs) and interface with real-time, physics-based all-wing aircraft simulations. Once control laws are developed in the FQL, they are transferred to the ITF for further testing.

 

JetZero's Integrated Test Facility (ITF) laboratory also achieved significant progress, successfully integrating the Thales Flight Control Computer (FCC) hardware and software with pilot controls, including the BAE Systems active control sidestick, enabling pilots to perform in-the-loop testing of the flight control system. This represents a significant milestone, enabling interoperability testing of the Z4 aircraft's equipment in a simulated flight environment before installation on the full-scale demonstrator aircraft. JetZero's ITF is an advanced test and evaluation platform where virtually all of the aircraft's electrical and electronic systems are installed and exhaustively tested for interoperability and performance in a simulated flight environment.

 

One of JetZero's missions is "Solving for Time." Through JetZero's digital engineering and laboratory strategy, they aim to accelerate the development of the 25th Aircraft, a transport category aircraft. JetZero team members have extensive backgrounds with major manufacturers and system suppliers and understand these complexities. JetZero's demonstrator aircraft uses proven and approved components already flying on the 25th Aircraft to mitigate risk. The primary challenge lies not in individual components, but in integration. The laboratory is essential for this, preventing costly surprises and significantly reducing risk.

 

JetZero employs a three-laboratory approach to decouple system integration from airframe construction, allowing the two to proceed in parallel. This approach accelerates the development process by performing system integration concurrently with aircraft construction and ensures system readiness by the time the airframe is complete. The three labs include a flight quality lab, an integrated test facility, and an iron bird.

 

The Air Force strongly supports and shares the need to address time constraints. Recognizing today's long development cycles as a hindrance, they are pushing to restore the innovation and speed that once defined aerospace, replacing manual, fragmented processes and tools with a digital thread to accelerate progress.

 

"Many of us enter this field excited to build amazing aircraft, but bureaucracy and outdated tools can dampen that spirit," said Bethany Davis, Director of Aircraft Systems and Laboratories at JetZero. "That's why the Air Force emphasizes 'taking back time' and strongly supports our digital tools and lab-driven rapid prototyping approach. This is a strategic initiative to accelerate critical aerospace capabilities."

 

ADI's collaboration with JetZero stems from ADI's experience developing and deploying the industry's top aerospace and defense digital twin platform, as well as its proven track record of accelerating aircraft development processes through flight test and type certification.

 

"Traditional aerospace development requires experts to be in one location," said Scott James, President and CEO of ADI. "Enabling remotely accessible labs through our ADEPT edge computing platform changes that. A test engineer in Florida can conduct simulation-based flight tests, while a controls expert in Montreal and a hydraulics specialist in Michigan can collaborate in real time on the same test, with everyone seeing the data and analysis they need. This real-time collaboration, regardless of location, allows for more efficient integration of expertise than ever before."

 

Remote testing helps address one of the biggest challenges facing commercial OEMs: finding and retaining specialized talent. Team members are required to conduct on-site testing but can work remotely when a remote environment is available. This has helped JetZero build a global presence with team members across the United States and around the world. JetZero's digital setup enables them to access top talent, regardless of their location, which is essential for achieving significant innovation in aviation.