Automated Test Program Set Analysis for Maintenance Data Metrics Generation

The challenge of ascertaining technical requirements and pertinent information embedded in Test Program Sets (TPSs) and determination of Test System (TS) capabilities that can perform those requirements is an area of interest that holds promise for improving various aspects of weapons system acquisition, repair and maintenance lifecycle costs. One example is when test systems as a whole or tester subsystems become obsolete. A typical approach is to perform one off engineering investigation that requires extensive use of high value personnel and recurring effort that could be automated using technology based approaches. The automated technologies could also support various acquisition decision criteria where policy requires existing test equipment families to be evaluated during the ATS acquisition process. Additionally, as potential for inter-operational test programs increases, the need for tools that can deterministically characterize test program applicability for different test systems could greatly reduce manual efforts and eliminate potential to attempt usage of target systems whose capability is not a match for either specific test programs or envelopes of test requirements that encompass groups of test programs. Resulting technologies will empower developers, program managers and acquisition professionals in alleviating redundant effort, providing indisputable data for deterministic decision making and fostering improved interoperation.