Ground Testing Installed Systems for Interference at the Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility

Phyllis Cook

Abstract:	Today’s military aircraft are increasingly more dependent on the use of advanced technology weapons systems sensor systems to satisfy the growing complexities and diverse roles of multi-mission air warfare. Consequently, installed weapons systems sensor testing requires simultaneous, and correlated, ground-based T&E on a variety of installed multi-spectrum sensor configuration with integrated avionics systems and subsystems. Installed systems T&E cost effectively optimize the use of scarce flight testing resources while also satisfying increasingly sophisticated tests. It is now an accepted and highly cost-effective practice to first conduct rigorous ground testing and evaluation of the installed/integrate sensors’ performance, and interaction to determine their readiness for range and/or flight-testing. In particular, interference in navigation systems created a safety-of-life issue even under the best of conditions. One method of risk reduction is ground testing of fully installed systems before first flight. At the Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility (ACETEF), we are able to create an environment on the ground to simulate flight through a noisy environment. Our large anechoic chamber allows us to place one large aircraft, up to Boeing 707, or two tactical aircraft in a secure environment I which to radiate. Adjacent to the anechoic chamber is an operation control center (OCC) which together with the chamber can be controlled for security purposes. Within the OCC, testing can be controlled and monitored. A number of stimulators can either be controlled independently or in a coherent scenario using the Joint Integrated Mission Model (JIMM). Unlike in flight testing, scenarios are repeatable to verify results and give apples-to-apples comparisons. The customer may choose from a number of signals depending on the specifics of the test requirements. • GPS o Simulated GPS RF Signals o Integrated INS o Reradiated live GPS • Realistic open-loop RF environment stimulation to electronic warfare systems o Radar warning receivers o Electronic support measures o Defensive electronic countermeasures o Standoff and support jammers o Communications intercept • Radar o Open-loop RF Radar stimulation o Coherent free-space target returns o Select airborne radars only • Communication o Inmarsat o Link – 16 o Link – 4 o Link – 11 o TRAP o TIBS o TADIXS-B o OTCIXS • Civilian background signals o Radio o TV o personal voice communications • Identify friend or foe (IFF) o Modes 1, 2, 3, 4, C and 5 o Upgradable to Mode 5
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2009 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 26 - 28, 2009 Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel Anaheim, CA
Pages:	139 - 141
Cite this article:	Cook, Phyllis, "Ground Testing Installed Systems for Interference at the Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility," Proceedings of the 2009 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Anaheim, CA, January 2009, pp. 139-141.
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