Test and Evaluation

Test & evaluation (T&E) is a process by which systems or components are tested and the results evaluated to assess progress of design, performance, operational effectiveness and suitability. We participate in several US Air Force and Army T&E programs.

We provide support to the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD, formerly National Missile Defense) Operational Test Agency (OTA) project. We provide test planning, test execution, test reporting, modeling and simulation, operational assessment, Web site development, database development, battle management, and human factors support to the GMD OTA project.

We support AFOTEC's test execution activities for the Global Broadcast Service (GMS) multiservice Operational Test and Evaluation (MOT&E) project. GBS will provide worldwide, high capacity, one-way transmission of a variety of high speed computer-to-computer updates, high quality imagery and other high bandwidth information products to supported forces.

We provide data management support to AFOTEC's Multiservice Operational Test and Evaluation (MOT&E) of the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay Satellite System (MILSTAR) Medium Data Rate capability. MILSTAR is a series of advanced US military communications satellites designed to provide global jam-resistant communications for military users. Our data management services include raw data collection, data quality assurance, data processing and reduction, data analysis, data filing and storage, database development, and preparation of data annexes to the MILSTAR Data Management and Analysis Plan and OT&E Report.

Another area of our T&E support is providing test planning support, test plan development, and data information system architecture development to support AFOTEC's role in the National Polar Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). NPOESS is the future combination of the Department of Defense's Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) constellation and the Department of Commerce's Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite system (POES) program. NPOESS will supply meteorological data to the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and to the Department of Defense.

ASRC Communications also supports the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC), Fort Huachuca , AZ , as a member of the Validity Team. We design, conduct, and report tests for Department of Defense (DoD) strategic networks, automated information systems, and tactical telecommunications. ASRC Communications employees have won the JITC's "Golden Eagle" award - its highest award for contractors - on test projects such as Year 2000 testing, the Defense Information System Network operational test, the Defense Message System user assessment, the DoD Interoperability Communication Exercise, and Defense Finance and Accounting Systems tests.

Modeling & Simulation
ASRCC supports the Defense modeling and simulation to provide readily available, operationally valid environments for use by DoD components. We work to train jointly, develop doctrine and tactics, formulate operational plans, and assess war fighting situations. We support technology assessment, system upgrade, prototype and full scale development, and force structuring.

ASRCC supports the DoD vision for a common use of these environments to promote a closer interaction between the operations and acquisition communities in carrying out their respective responsibilities. This approach allows for maximum utility and flexibility of modeling and simulation environments and promotes the construction of affordable, reusable components interoperating through an open systems architecture.

The process evaluates "what-if" situations so that the most feasible options can be chosen. M&S enables designers to understand the system being modeled, so models have benefit beyond the product. Modeling & Simulation increases the likelihood of a successful test and lowers test costs.

Our M&S services have been used:

• To perform Developmental and Operational Test & Evaluation planning
• To conduct Data analysis and evaluation
• To augment, extend, and enhance test results
• For development of Tactics and CONOPS
• To train, exercise, and educate operators and decision makers

One of the primary simulation models used to support flight test planning for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD, formerly known as NMD) project is Satellite Tool Kit. This model allows:

• Flight test scenario development
• Flight test video creation
• Ground radar coverage analysis
• Loss of node analysis
• Satellite access coverage
• 3-D visualization
• Threat analysis
• Intercept analysis
• Operations analysis
• Mission planning
• Post-flight analysis

As part of the Distributed Interactive Simulation running the Theater Aerospace Command and Control Facility (TACCSF), we provide software engineering support to 16 hardware-in-the-loop tactical simulators such as the AWACS, Patriot, Global Hawk, JSTARS, ABL, F-15s, MCE, and TADIL A, B, and J.