Flight Test Playback Tool

This research topic is seeking innovative advancements and automation of the current technology available to the US Air Force to support UUT flight-test and radar data analysis. The proposed system entitled “AF201-001 Flight Test Playback Tool” will be developed to record flight test data, import, and relate it with terrain data in order to understand UUT position in relation to radar returns at any point in time. DMA has extensive background in the creation of Flight Test (FT) and data reduction tools. As an example, the DMA Engineering Team has developed, built, and maintains our own 1553 test station and data analysis tool called DMAnalyze which is used to support aircraft ground and FT efforts. DMA’s DMAnalyze is an aircraft data bus capture, analysis, and data reduction tool used to reduce Chapter 10 IRIG ground and FT data collected during UUT test events. With our expertise in Chapter 10 data reduction combined with the ability to create comprehensive easy to understand visual representation of test events, we have the people and the skills required to provide a low risk option to display radar imagery, UUT attitude and terrain features thus providing a view of the entire test envelope. Currently, the process of performing analysis on FT data is manpower and time intensive. Performing manual review has several limitations. If topology can be incorporated with UUT sensor data, Software/Hardware performance accuracy can be confirmed and, the analysts will finally have the tools to accurately evaluate radar performance and accuracy. Being able to incorporate terrain data into FT reviews will provide for more detailed analysis of complete aircraft dynamics allowing for analysis of the complete UUT as it moves through the entire test environment. This software will allow for analysis and verification previously impossible to obtain. In this Phase I DMA will Define requirements for a Flight Test playback and Review tool. The established requirements shall be used as a basis to define and evaluate hardware and software solutions. We will perform an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) to determine appropriate open system architecture. DMA will develop a Playback Tool architecture that provides the ability to interpret and display topological data, and records and interprets radar data and develop a preliminary software/hardware design that balances cost and schedule versus the use of open hardware. Phase II will consist of the active development and deployment of the proposed software. It is envisioned that in Phase II DMA will create a Moving Map (MM) and using recorded Chapter 10 or 1553 bus data, display an over lay of UUT position/time onto the MM. We will build the necessary tools to convert and display collected radar imagery on a separate screen that relates aircraft Present Position/time. The US Air Force will see process improvement, elimination of safety risk, improved software sustainment, and benefits derived from the new process.