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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

ADVANCED COMBAT DIRECTION SYSTEM (ACDS) BLOCK I

	Navy ACAT II Program 40 systems (25 back fit, 15 forward fit) Total program cost (TY$) $296.8M Average unit cost (TY$) back fit: $1.8M forward fit: $13.9M Full-rate production FY98 Prime Contractor Hughes Aircraft Co., Naval and Maritime Systems San Diego, CA

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The AN/SYQ-20 Advanced Combat Direction System (ACDS) Block 1 consists of computer program software and associated hardware for non-Aegis combatant ships (aircraft carriers and selected amphibious warfare ships). ACDS Block 1 provides extended range display, expanded track capacity, Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) interoperability, modifiable doctrine, display of mapping information, automatic gridlock, and doctrine-controlled multi-source identification. AN/SYQ-20 hardware includes computers, a display system with consoles, data terminal sets, automatic data processor, and automated status boards.

ACDS Block 1 is a combat direction system for aircraft carriers and amphibious warfare ships that supports the JV 2010 concept of full-dimensional protection, by providing control of a final layer of self protection against threat "leakers" (air, surface, subsurface) for individual ships. By ensuring such protection, ACDS Block 1 contributes indirectly to the concept of precision engagement, in that strike operations against targets are executed from these platforms.

ACDS Block 1 represents the second phase of implementation of the Combat Direction System (CDS) improvement plan of 1981, with ACDS Block 0 representing the initial phase. The Block 1 program was restructured in April 1991. Further adjustment occurred in FY93, targeting FY97 for fleet delivery of the software. Correction of deficiencies observed during testing through August 1997 delayed the OPEVAL and the full production decision. OPEVAL is now scheduled for February 1998. Milestone III is scheduled for July 1998.

At-sea DT was conducted onboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) in April 1997 during independent steaming in Atlantic Fleet Operating Areas. Operations included detection, localization, classification, air control, tracking and simulated engagement of air, surface, and subsurface targets. COMOPTEVFOR observed testing events and conducted an operational assessment (OA), identified as phase OT-IIC1. Technical Evaluation was conducted in August 1997. A second OA, OT-IIC2, was conducted in late October 1997, based on limited testing at a land-based test site, the Integrated Combat Systems Test Facility (ICSTF), located at Point Loma, San Diego, CA. Both OAs were conducted in accordance with a DOT&E-approved assessment plan. The testing at ICSTF was observed by DOT&E staff. The TEMP was undergoing revision during FY97 and was approved by DOT&E in January 1998.

OT-IIC1. ACDS Block 1 was tested continuously for 160 hours during a period from April 14 to April 21, 1997. Limitations associated with the DT, upon which the OA was based, include the following:

• The ship was conducting independent operations and training carrier qualification, without accompanying ships in the Battle Group. This resulted in light to moderate track loading and did not support demonstration of data link functionality over an extended period of time. Specifically, the duration of test events, numbers of participating units, numbers of tracks, and numbers of air control units were insufficient for assessment of ACDS Block 1 capability.

• A Battle Group commander was not embarked.

• System administration and troubleshooting of software faults were conducted by contract personnel with crewmembers receiving instruction.

• Targets were not fully representative of simulated threats in terms of range, speed, altitude, radar cross section, and attack profiles.

ACDS Block 1 evidenced deficiencies in several areas of own ship mission management, survivability, maintainability, interoperability, and human factors. Within the constraints of the foregoing limitations and based upon results, ACDS Block 1 is projected to be potentially operationally effective and potentially operationally suitable. Based on observed results during this testing, COMOPTEVFOR recommended further engineering and manufacturing development and stated that the risk of an unsuccessful OPEVAL was high.

OT-IIC2. This OA was conducted in late October 1997 at the ICSTF, Point Loma, San Diego, CA. and results of the testing are still being analyzed as of this writing.

The OPEVAL is scheduled to be conducted with the ship operating as part of a Battle Group, as insisted upon by DOT&E.