Enabling - Test

Abstract

In the Enabling Test project, SE&I drives BMDS test planning, execution, and post-test analysis and assessment, providing critical data to prove that missile defense works as designed and quantify system performance. M&S provides the tools and framework required to prepare for and execute ground and flight tests, and perform post-test reconstructions. Engineering studies and analyses enable the allocation of test requirements to individual test events, design of test architectures, definition of target requirements, and generation of appropriate scenarios for ground and flight tests to collect data for model validation and system verification. With the support of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), SE&I works with the Service Operational Test Agencies (OTA) to incorporate operational test requirements to ensure the incremental capability being transferred to the Warfighter will be operationally effective, suitable, and survivable. SE&I identifies and coordinates test objectives and ensures BMDS requirements are being met by the BMDS system under test. Systems Engineering plays a key role in BMDS test design and development by defining, allocating to test events, and tracking Critical Engagement Conditions (CECs) and Empirical Measurement Events (EMEs), as documented in the IMTP. The CECs and EMEs include Key Test Points (KTPs) allocated to test events to ensure the events will collect data to confirm proper system operation. The data anchors system and element models and simulations, which will be used in all-digital simulations to characterize BMDS performance across the battle space, including areas where no live-fire-testing is performed. The digital M&S complement extensive flight tests and hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) ground tests, to directly support fielding decisions and BMDS deployed operations. SE&I ground test (GT) responsibilities include BMDS performance sensitivity analysis; scenario design, focused on the production of an optimized set of GT scenarios; risk reduction analysis to mitigate data collection risks supporting test objectives; GT architecture certification analysis supporting test readiness reviews; and analysis of event test results. SE&I flight test (FT) responsibilities include planning and analysis of FT pre-mission digital and HWIL scenarios focused on exploring BMDS Flight Test performance boundaries related to the day of flight test scenario while surfacing performance risk; analytical support for flight test CONOPS development and range safety analysis; mission analysis support during FTs; conducting extensive post-mission analysis; and developing event analysis reporting products. These products support senior leaders' decisions on BMDS development and evolution and underpin BMDS capability declarations that provide new capabilities to the Warfighter. SE&I supports pre-mission predictions for system level flight tests using the test framework set up with HWIL and digital models of the BMDS configuration for each test. This provides confidence in readiness for flight test execution by predicting BMDS performance and exercising element interfaces. It also ensures the flight test will collect the required data to support system analysis and assessments and Element and System Post-Flight Reconstruction (SPFR) objectives. SPFRs use HWIL and M&S to replicate the day of flight for the BMDS configuration, including the environmental conditions and target dynamics observed in the test. They increase confidence in the System and element M&S by anchoring the results to the real world event, with emphasis on the performance parameters allocated to the M&S. Reliability, Availability and Maintainability data collected through BMDS test events increases confidence in the predicted performance of the BMDS. SE&I documents abnormal system behavior observed during System tests and alerts MDA to issues with test article reliability. SE&I leads test failure review boards, identifies data collection shortfalls, and reallocates objectives to future test events as needed until all required model validation data is collected. The Failure Reporting, Analysis, and Corrective Action System provides a framework to investigate test failures and anomalies and identify solutions that will ultimately improve BMDS performance and reliability. The distinct capabilities of MDA`s M&S systems and products provide the BMDS, the Warfighter, and the OTA with an evaluation capability for individual components and for the overall M&S system-of-systems. MDA validates and accredits system-level models and simulations by anchoring them to real-world events to support accurate and comprehensive assessments of the BMDS. M&S development activities focus on the model and simulation frameworks, BMDS Element models, and core truth modeling (e.g., threat, phenomenology, lethality, and environment). Quality M&S systems and products contribute to the success of the missile defense program and help prove BMDS technologies work. MDA M&S System and product testing is based on the integrated, comprehensive, and phased test program outlined in MDA`s IMTP. Within the construct of the IMTP, Element-unique M&S systems, subsystems, and components are tested as part of their respective development and integration, a necessary precursor to conducting BMD System-level M&S testing (e.g., integrated ground test, performance/technical assessment venues). Resources for the planning, design, execution and management of this testing are provided in accordance with the BMDS Test Policy, as listed in the most current version of the IMTP.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2017
• Source ID: MT23_0603890C_4_0400_PB_2017

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Test and Evaluation
• Missile Defense Systems.
• Software Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Space