A_T_I_2015_04_

24 |^

APRIL 2015

AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM

z Aircraft survivability tests

LIVE FIRE... SAFETY FIRST

Upon the completion of

component level testing

and modeling and

simulation, live fire

events complete the

test evolution. Tests

to validate the results of

the simulation/stimulation

tests, many times in

partnership with other

ATEC test ranges, are

often the culminating

event and provide the

full spectrum of data

necessary to ensure

system performance,

according to RTC’s

Justin Powell.

Because of the

complexity and risk of

live fire weapon tests to

validate the defense

mechanisms, RTC has

developed a robust

safety program, risk

mitigation techniques and

approval processes for

the conduct of high-risk

test events.

“This process is

streamlined to move

through the risk

mitigation and approval

processes efficiently with

the goal of staying ahead

of potential threats, being

on time and within

budget,” Powell said.

“As a body of

professional test experts,

it is our responsibility to

ensure equipment is

capable and ready to

protect our aircraft

throughout all operational

phases,” says Col.

Patrick Mason.

“ATEC and RTC will

remain focused on

performing full-spectrum

survivability testing to

ensure our soldiers can

fight and win in a

complex environment.”

10,000,000

The maximum propulsion in

pounds thrust at which the center

is capable of static testing rocket

propulsion systems

2,000

Length in feet of a sled used to test

warheads against hard targets

large radar-guided missiles capable of
reaching high altitudes. While this
threat is more prevalent while engaging
in combat against established nations
with integrated air defense networks,
as opposed to small insurgent cells, it
remains a major area of interest as the
potential for large scale warfare is
always present.

• Optically guided threats: These
  threats are grouped without regard
  for the spectrum in which the optics
  operate. Threats in this category can
  range from the traditional infrared
  seeking missile to wire or laser-guided
  missiles that may have been developed
  for alternative purposes.
  “Regardless of which category a
  particular weapon system is in, the
  most important aspect for RTC is to
  anticipate the unexpected and have
  the organic capability to test all three
  categories of weapons against various
  types of aircraft survivability

equipment. Among our current focuses

is testing against optically guided

threats, as they are quickly adapting,

evolving and are capable of

employment by small nation and

non-nation states around the world,”

Powell explains.

Countering minor changes in

threats can have major impacts on the

survivability of the system. To keep up

with the rapidly developing processes

and changing threats, RTC has reduced

the cycle time of testing both new and

legacy ASE systems against new threats

through live, virtual and constructive

test programs executed in rapid

succession to ensure the test article can

survive. These tests may take from as

little as six weeks to as long as six

months to ensure a complete data set

used to certify a vast suite of ASE. z

US Army Major Jon Mulder is RTC

experimental test pilot and account manager,

aviation systems division, Alabama, USA

“THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT

FOR RTC IS TO ANTICIPATE THE

UNEXPECTED AND HAVE THE

CAPABILITY TO TEST ALL THREE

CATEGORIES OF WEAPONS”

RIGHT: A night-time

AH-1 Cobra flare

test at Redstone

Test Center’s Test

Area 3 and 6

BELOW: CH-47

flare safe

separation testing

at Redstone Arsena