An on-target rapid control prototyping (RCP) system includes a host control module that generates a first RCP model based on selected function blocks in a block library. A target language compiler converts the first RCP model into source code. A cross-compiler coverts the source code into object code. A download module performs an on-target download of the object code from a host that includes the host control module to a production control module of a production system that is separate from the host.