The power plant system of a tilt rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was verified by the Ironbird ground test, which considerably reduces cost and risk during the developmental stages. The function and performance of the engine, drive line, nacelle conversion, and rotor systems were evaluated using a building block test approach. The Ironbird test concept facilitates the discovery of potential faults in earlier stages of the testing period. As a result, the developmental testing period could effectively be shortened. The measured test data acquired through a ground control and data acquisition system exhibited satisfactory results which meet the developmental specifications of a tilt rotor UAV.