Electronic Warfare Ground Test Resources
Abstract
The AF requires a comprehensive set of test facilities to implement the Air Force Electronic Warfare (EW) Test Process in order to test EW systems, including Directed Energy (DE). To manage program risk effectively throughout the weapons system acquisition process, and conduct T&E effectively and efficiently, a broad multi-spectrum, integrated set of T&E capabilities for modeling and simulation through open-air ranges (OAR) are required. The EW Test Process Support task provides for investment management, coordinated technical oversight, and application of EW T&E facilities, including studies, analyses, and related documentation. The National Radar Cross Section (RCS) Test Facility (NRTF) at Holloman AFB, NM, provides timely, accurate, and secure RCS and antenna measurements for tri-service and joint program offices, DoD laboratories, DARPA and industry. The NRTF tests fielded and developmental systems and technology to meet Low Observable (a.k.a. stealth) and EW customer requirements. The Air Force Electronic Warfare Evaluation Simulator (AFEWES) and the Digital Integrated Air Defense System (DIADS) provide the ability to realistically evaluate hardware components and simulated weapon systems against manned hardware threat representations throughout the acquisition process. AFEWES provides simulations of advanced Infrared (IR) & Radio Frequency (RF) semi-active Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs), RF missile warning, IR and Laser countermeasure functions; integration of actual threat hardware and ground clutter into advanced threat RF and IR missile simulations. DIADS provides algorithm based enemy command and control (C2) capabilities plus early warning radar detection, limited ground control intercept features and also allows man-in-the-loop interaction for the enemy C2 positions. The Installed Test Integration Program (ITIP) develops a multi-spectral synthetic battlespace with virtual and constructive modeling and simulation T&E capabilities at Edwards AFB, CA. The Advanced Warfare Test and Evaluation Capability (AWTEC) will replace 90's technology with state-of-the-art stimulators to upgrade the Benefield Anechoic Facility (BAF) at Edwards AFB, CA. Improvement and modernization efforts within this PE are identified in one mission area category: EW. EW provides planning, improvements, and modernization needed for test capabilities to conduct and support the AF EW test process, including DE. This test process provides a scientific methodology to ensure the effective disciplined and efficient testing of EW and avionics systems. Budget Activity Justification: This program is in Budget Activity 6, RDT&E Management Support, because this budget activity includes research, development, test and evaluation efforts and funds to sustain and/or modernize the installations or operations required for general research, development, test and evaluation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- 663321_0604256F_6_3600_PB_2012
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