A Digital Backbone Installed in the RASCAL-X experimental UH-60M for Rapid Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) Integrations

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) developed a Digital Backbone for the Rotorcraft Applied Systems Concepts Airborne Lab (RASCAL-X) UH-60M for rapid Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) mission system integrations. The RASCAL-X Digital Backbone is the cornerstone of a unique experimental flight test capability connecting the experimental research flight control system with the Mission Systems Flying Testbed (MSFTB) and other mission system components. The Digital Backbone with MSFTB provides a suite of capabilities to integrate, assess, and flight test Mission Systems Under Test. The RASCAL-X Digital Backbone supports many of the physical aspects of mission system integration by providing Nodal Points with provisioning for power, data, and connectivity. Numerous challenges in Digital Backbone design, fabrication and installation were successfully addressed and solved during the development effort. The RASCAL-X Digital Backbone installation was completed in February 2025.