ISTFs, such as the Benefield
Anechoic Facility (BAF) , provide a secure capability to evaluate EW
systems that are installed on, or integrated with, host platforms. These
test facilities consist of anechoic chambers in which free-space radiation
measurements are made during the simultaneous operation of EW systems and
host platform avionics and munitions. The EW system under test is stimulated
by threat signal generators and its responses are evaluated to provide
critical, integrated system performance information.
Their primary purpose is to evaluate integrated
avionics systems (e.g., EW systems or subsystems, communications, navigation,
identification, radar, infrared, integrated controls and displays) in installed
configurations to test specific functions of complete, full-scale weapon
systems. Such testing is done to determine if any EMI/EMC problems exist;
to determine system reaction to electromagnetic environments of hostile
and/or friendly systems and to support flight testing by providing pre-flight
and post-flight checkout capabilities. The ISTF provides a secure environment
in which signals may be radiated that cannot be exposed in open air for
security reasons.
| Installed test Facility Capabilities |
What Makes an
ISTF Unique |
Allows EW system testing on host platform under controlled conditions |
What an ISTF
Can Do |
Evaluates EW system compatibility and interoperabilty with the host
platform |
| Provides pre-flight checkout capability and post-flight diagnostics |
| Tests static EW performance of the integrated platform at specific
points in the employment envelope |
| Provides battlefield threat densities and diversities unachievable
on an open air range. |
ISTF
Limitations |
Dynamic test performance against a threat in a free-space environment |
| Evaluation of closed-loop performance against a threat in a free-space
environment |
| Evaluation of EW effectiveness |
This ground testing can aid in isolating
component, subsystem, or system problems not observable in other ground
test facilities but crucial to system checkout prior to open air testing.
Failure to evaluate installed EW system performance adequately on the
ground typically results in significantly increased flight test cost
and lengthened schedules. There are four categories of ISTF's which
may be found by clicking here.
See
BAF
|