TEST EQUIPMENT FOR AVIONICS BEYOND 18 GHZ

USE OF THE FINAL REPORT WILL PERMIT A COST EFFECTIVE SELECTION OF TEST EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE THE OPERATIONAL AVAILABILITY OF CURRENT PRIME SYSTEMS AT AN AFFORDABLE COST. THE PROGRAMS WILL NOT BE FACED WITH THE EXPENSE AND TIME OF DEVELOPING, TESTING, AND SUPPORTING NEW TEST AND CALIBRATION EQUIPMENT TO MEET MANY OF THEIR REQUIREMENTS. THIS RESEARCH PROJECT WILL BE STRUCTURED AND COMPLETED IN A WAY WHICH BUILDS ON PAST AND CURRENT EFFORTS FOR TESTING ABOVE 18 GHZ THUS SAVING MONEY AS WELL AS SCHEDULE TIME AND REDUCING PROGRAM RISKS. THE PHASE I REPORT WILL PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE LISTING OF COMMERCIAL AND DOD TEST AND CALIBRATION EQUIPMENT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR RF TESTING ABOVE GHZ. THE FINAL REPORT WILL ALSO IDENTIFY ANY AIR FORCE, ARMY OR NAVY PRIME PROGRAMS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING RF TESTERS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS. ALSO, THE REPORT WILL ITEMIZE IDENTIFIED INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS FOR TEST AND CALIBRATION EQUIPMENT, TECHNIQUES AND FACILITIES FOR USE ABOVE 18 GHZ. THE ANALYSIS, CONTAINED IN THE REPORT, WILL ALSO POINT OUT AREAS IN WHICH TESTING TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND FULL SCALE DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO IMPROVE FUTURE SUPPORT POSTURES.