Fly-By-Wire
Challenge
The customer was looking for a partner:
- To work on Fly-By-Wire (FBW) – a system that replaces the conventional manual flight controls of an aircraft with an electronic interface.
- To lead the expansion of an extensive engineering team dedicated to embedded flight control computer software within a tight timeframe.
- To bring on board Verification and Validation (V&V) Engineers who can fill in the existing process, a task beyond the client’s independent capabilities.
Solution
EXB provided:
- 1 Team Lead, 1 Manager and 8 V&V resources for the initial engagement. We grew these resources from 10 to 50
- There was a major V&V effort that was delayed by client. Our agile response included swiftly onboarding extra resources to successfully fulfill the expanded V&V effort
- Provided the customer with a practical engineer ramp-up plan, leveraging the expertise of EXB Technical Project Managers to eliminate client interviews. This empowered us to autonomously select our teams, expediting the hiring process
Features
- Full software development lifecycle
- HLR and LLRs – DOORS
- Development – Simulink/Stateflow
- System level test – Python
- Software level test – C/C++
- Flight Control Systems
- Flight Management Systems
- DO-178C
- Agile Scrum
EXB Value Provided
- Successfully navigated the complete software development lifecycle for embedded flight control computer software
- Within a dynamic six-month period, the team flourished from 18 to 50 members, strategically consolidating to 45
- Emerged as the premier and largest supplier for the program, eventually backfilling key roles that were once held by competitors
Chris Hardgrave joined Quest Defense in April 2024 as Vice President for Strategic Accounts. He is responsible for sales, growth, and development of strategic relationships for new business development efforts in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Chris works in the Washington, D.C. office.
As Chief Engineer for Quest Defense, Jon is responsible for ensuring that sound engineering processes are maintained and followed by our employees working in a diverse set of services and disciplines across all verticals. In this role he also leads Quest Defense’s efforts to develop new methods and technologies to help grow the business through innovation, as well as building and promoting the technical reputation of the company in the public sphere.
Jeff Fischer serves as a board member for Quest Defense Systems and Solutions business. Additionally Jeff is the Operations Leader for the Quest Global Aerospace and Defense Industry.
Steve Gerber is President and CEO of QuEST Defense Systems and Solutions business and is responsible for providing the leadership and growth of this venture.
Joe supports Special Missions across Quest Global to include key client contract negotiations, strategic business solutions, M&A, and culture endeavors.
Frank Kendall is an independent consultant to defense industry firms and non profit research organizations. He is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, a Senior Advisor to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and a member of th e Council on Foreign Relations. Among other industry positions, he is a member of the board of directors of Leidos Corporation and of Leonardo Electronics USA Inc. From 2012 to 2017, Mr. Kendall served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, T echnology and Logistics (AT& after serving as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary from 2010 2012. Mr. Kendall has over 45 years of experience in engineering, management, defense acquisition, and national security affairs in private industry, governmen t, and the military.
John Thackrah is the founding Principal of Sextant Solutions LLC, an aerospace, maritime and government acquisition consultant.
Page Hoeper is a private consultant, corporate director, and venture capitalist. Since leaving government service, Mr. Hoeper has focused on corporate governance and board service. He chairs the boards of OnPoint Technologies, Inc., 501c(3) venture capital fund established by Congress to focus on emerging commercial technologies of interest to the U.S. Army, and Quest Defense Systems & Solutions, a provider of engineering services to the U.S. defense industry.
As the President of Quest Global, Bob is responsible for establishing and maintaining senior customer relationships, catalysing new business development, and overseeing innovative and transformational deals. In this role, he also assists in building relationships with strategic acquisitions for the company.