Making the Case for Distributed Testing

Abstract

Distributed testing is the method of linking various Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) sites and capabilities together to conduct the Test and Evaluation (T&E) of a system or system-of-systems in a distributed environment. This is normally done in lieu of a large-scale "open air" test using actual live operational hardware for all systems involved. Conducting distributed testing complements live-only testing and provides the means for rapid integration of systems early in their developmental life cycle. It also provides an efficient means of adding realism to T&E by providing system representations not otherwise available, and/or enabling interrelated systems not otherwise available, in realistic numbers. Distributed testing enhances the crossflow of test data between T&E agencies and allows for the early integration of Operational Test (OT) influence into Development Test (DT). Conducting distributed test events will save acquisition and T&E programs time and money, as well as reduce risk. It can be used to develop the operationally representative Joint Mission Environment (JME) that can be used to evaluate the interoperability capabilities of a system or system-of-systems in preparation for "Net-Readiness" certification. This distributed JME can be developed at a fraction of the cost of live open air scenarios and provides the capability to evaluate technical and operational performance for individual systems and systems-of-systems in realistic environments. Even with the obvious benefits, the concept of distributed testing is only very slowly gaining recognition and acceptance from acquisition program managers and the T&E community. This article examines the challenges of conducting distributed testing and provides an update on what is being done to mitigate those challenges and to ensure success for programs electing to take advantage of the potential of distributed testing methodologies.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA530377

Entities

People

  • Bernard C. Ferguson
  • Dave M. Brown

Organizations

  • Office Of The Under Secretary Of Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Airborne Warning And Control System
  • Command And Control
  • Computing System Architectures
  • Cross Domain
  • Data Links
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electronic Mail
  • Lessons Learned
  • Network Architecture
  • Operational Effectiveness
  • Radar
  • Resource Management
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation