Test And Evaluation Of Aircraft Avionics And Weapon Systems

This text and practical reference for all personnel involved in avionics and weapons system evaluation and testing, in the air and on the ground. Compiled from 25 years of experience and methods from the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, California, this book has been reviewed by a dozen voluntary experts from the military and industry to ensure all critical components are properly covered. It includes "war stories" from actual evaluations and exercises at the end of each chapter, providing instructors with the ability to reinforce critical concepts. This second edition has been updated and expanded by three chapters to include UAV technology, operational test and evaluation and night vision systems and helmet mounted displays and the chapter exercises have also been expanded and revised.

Over the past 20 years, various approaches have been proposed to reduce the cost and duration of testing military systems. At the same time, the systems being tested have become considerably more complex. This study examined system-level testing for selected fixed-wing aircraft programs and related weapons. The authors provide cost estimating methodologies and reference information on various test programs.

As military systems have become more complex, testing has become more time consuming and costly. A number of efficiencies have been proposed and implemented, such as increasing use of modeling and simulation and combining developmental and operational testing. How have these approaches worked in practice? And do traditional metrics for estimating the cost of testing still apply? This study addressed these issues by examining system-level testing for selected fixed-wing aircraft, missiles and guided munitions programs. The actual times and costs appear to be largely in step with the increasing complexity of the systems and test programs, so the proportion of development costs that the testing represents has not changed markedly. Although the available data are not sufficient to isolate the effects of discrete initiatives, some, such as modeling and simulation and combined testing, have empirically demonstrated their value on a variety of programs. The authors provide cost estimating methodologies and reference information on the programs they studied.

The study of operations research arose during World War II to enhance the effectiveness of weapons and equipment used on the battlefield. Since then, operations research techniques have also been used to solve several sophisticated and complex defense-related problems. Operations Research for Military Organizations is a critical scholarly resource that examines the issues that have an impact on aspects of contemporary quantitative applications of operations research methods in the military. It also addresses innovative applications, techniques, and methodologies to assist in solving defense and military-related problems. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as combat planning, tactical decision aids, and weapon system simulations, this book is geared towards defense contractors, military consultants, military personnel, policy makers, and government departments seeking current research on defense methodologies.

Military technology is highly advanced in terms of technology being used in the field, computer applications, artificial intelligence, and software applications. These high-performance technologies range from weapons to communications technology to automation in vehicles and weaponry. These technologies must be both secure and reliable in harsh environments. Research is being focused specifically on that, including how military and defense applications operate, what modern technologies are being used, and the ethics surrounding these applications. A holistic view of these applications is necessary for both understanding current military tactics and tools along with the future applications. The Research Anthology on Military and Defense Applications, Utilization, Education, and Ethics focuses specifically on military and defense operations, expenditure, technologies, and tools, and the ethics surrounding technologies like weaponry and artificial intelligence in the military. The chapters cover a wide and diverse range of military and defense applications while providing crucial information on the functions, security, and reliability of these technologies. Beyond an understanding of the applications themselves, this book also focuses on military education surrounding these technologies and the ethics of usage to provide a well-rounded understanding of research in the field. This book is ideal for military consultants, military personnel, defense agencies, national security agencies, government officials, defense personnel, policymakers, military educators and trainers, stakeholders, practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students interested in the latest research in military and defense applications.

Contents: (1) Intro.: The Sources of Weapon Systems Innovation; (2) R&D in the Army: Changing Institutional Patterns of Army R& D after World War II; The Content of R&D in the Arsenal System; The Decline of the Arsenal System; (3) R&D in the Navy: Bureau of Ordnance; Bureau of Aeronautics; Bureau of Ships; From Bureaus and Laboratories to System Commands and Research Centers; (4) R&D in the Air Force: From Army Air Corps to U.S. Air Force, 1907-1950; Growth and Diversification: The Air Research and Development Command, 1950-1961; Reintegration: R&D in the Air Force Systems Command, 1961-1991; Coming Full Circle: Patterns of Organizational Change in Air Force R&D Since 1945; (5) Review and Retrospect. Biblio.