Melbourne, FL — October 2025
HEKA Aero is proud to announce an exciting collaboration with Griffon Aerospace on the Valiant Tiltrotor program, marking a major step forward in the integration of advanced simulation, autonomy, and safety technologies for next-generation aircraft.
Through this partnership, HEKA and Griffon are combining their strengths — Griffon’s innovative Valiant aircraft platform and HEKA’s HEKALink Digital Twin and AI-driven simulation ecosystem — to accelerate the pace of aerospace innovation from digital design to flight test.
Integrating the Valiant into the HEKALink Digital Twin
Under the scope of this effort, HEKA is leading the integration of Griffon’s Valiant tiltrotor aircraft into the HEKALink simulation and visualization environment. The goal: to deliver a validated, high-fidelity, six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) model capable of supporting hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing.
This integration includes:
- A configurable Valiant aircraft template inside HEKALink, defining structure, propulsion, and aerodynamic characteristics.
- PX4-based flight control software bridging, enabling seamless testing between Griffon’s firmware and HEKALink’s simulation runtime.
- Real-time visualization for mission scenarios including takeoff, transition, and waypoint navigation.
- Dockerized environments and CI-ready tools to streamline test execution and collaboration between both teams.
Raising the Bar for GNC Reliability and Safety
In parallel, HEKA and Griffon are conducting a comprehensive PX4 Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) review to identify and mitigate potential reliability risks across Griffon’s software stack. This structured review involves:
- Functional and architectural analysis of the PX4 codebase using advanced tooling.
- Identification of fault states and failure cases, such as motor failure during transition, with mitigation strategies.
- Integration of unit, module, and HIL/SIL test frameworks into Griffon’s CI/CD pipelines.
- Development of comprehensive documentation and verification procedures for ongoing safety and mission assurance.
Together, these parallel initiatives are not just strengthening Valiant’s reliability — they’re setting a new standard for model-based systems engineering and digital twin-driven validation in aerospace programs.
Collaboration That Moves Fast — and Flies Far
This partnership embodies the shared vision of both companies: rapid innovation through agility, transparency, and collaboration. Teams from HEKA and Griffon are working shoulder-to-shoulder — in-person and virtually — through sprint reviews, daily syncs, and shared project boards to ensure progress stays aligned, measurable, and mission-focused.
As HEKA’s Director of Business Development, Stephen Stilwell, put it:
“Griffon Aerospace is a company that builds and flies incredible platforms, and we’re honored to bring our HEKALink digital twin and GNC expertise to help the Valiant reach its full potential. Together, we’re not just simulating flight — we’re redefining how flight is developed.”
About the Valiant and HEKALink
The Griffon Valiant is a next-generation tiltrotor aircraft engineered for advanced mission versatility — from agile VTOL performance to efficient cruise flight. Its design pushes the boundaries of aerodynamic innovation and modular payload integration.
HEKALink, developed by HEKA, is a digital twin platform for flight control design, validation, and simulation. Supporting real-time 6-DOF physics, hardware-in-the-loop environments, and seamless PX4 integration, HEKALink bridges the gap between simulation and flight — reducing development time, cost, and risk.
Looking Ahead
With integration milestones already underway, the HEKA–Griffon partnership is poised to deliver breakthroughs in simulation accuracy, reliability engineering, and digital validation — paving the way for the future of unmanned and hybrid flight systems.
Stay tuned for updates as the Valiant takes flight in both the digital and physical skies. Read our other blogs too!
Written by Stephen Stilwell
Director of Business Development at HEKA Aero
Stephen Stilwell leads strategy, growth, and partnerships at HEKA Aero, a Melbourne, Florida–based aerospace technology company developing cutting-edge systems in digital twin simulation, autonomous flight, guidance and navigation, and energy systems. With a background in software engineering, product strategy, and aerospace systems integration, Stephen has helped position HEKA as a trusted innovation partner across the defense and advanced air mobility sectors.
Follow Stephen on LinkedIn for insights on aerospace innovation, AI, and the future of autonomy.
