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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

MULTIFUNCTION INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (MIDS)

Joint Program-ACAT 1D (Navy Lead) Terminal quantities and dollar amounts are for Navy and Air Force only. 2057 terminals (est) Total program cost (TY$) $1,906M (est) Average unit cost (TY$) $532K (est) Full-rate production Navy (ship) 1QFY99 Navy (a/c) 2QFY02 Air Force 2QFY00 Army TBD Prime Contractor MIDS LVT: Consortium of NATO contractors (U.S. lead is GEC-Marconi Electronics) F-15 FDL: Data Link Solutions (Joint Venture with GEC-Marcoini Electronics and Rockwell Collins)

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The Multifunction Information Distribution System (MIDS) is a communications, navigation, and identification system intended to support key theater functions such as surveillance, identification, air control, weapons engagement coordination, and direction. for all the Services and Allied forces. The system provides jamming resistant, wide-area communications on a Link-16 network among MIDS and Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) equipped platforms. MIDS is intended to improve joint interoperability, enhance battlefield situational awareness, and ensure information superiority for our forces over those forces of our enemies. This is true in both benign and electronic warfare conditions.

MIDS is the next generation Link16 capable terminal, a smaller, lighter, less expensive, and more reliable improvement to existing JTIDS terminals. The terminal hardware and software are still in development, and no terminals will be available for development test or operational test until November 1997. Platforms identified for MIDS integration include aircraft carriers, cruisers, F/A-18, EA-6B, F-15, F-16, THAAD, and Patriot. An initial operational assessment of MIDS (OT-IIA-2) in F/A-18s was conducted by Navy Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR) in August 1996 using man-in-the-loop domed simulators. Only limited MIDS functionality was simulated in this test. However, results were sufficient to recommend specific improvements in the MIDS integration into F/A-18.

There was no operational test of MIDS in FY97. Test and evaluation activities focused on approval of the MIDS Joint Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP). DOT&E recommended that the MIDS program conduct multiple joint operational tests to evaluate system performance in joint operations to begin as early in the MIDS development phase as possible. DOT&E has been working with the Operational Test Agencies for each service to plan for such tests and to make sure plans are incorporated in the MIDS Joint TEMP and the service annexes. DOT&E also worked closely with the Air Force to develop a TEMP for the MIDS Fighter Data Link (FDL), now incorporated as an annex to the MIDS TEMP.

The Air Force Test and Evaluation Command (AFOTEC) is conducting an early operational assessment of the MIDS for the F-15 in 1QFY98, to be followed by combined DT/OA(operational assessment) in 3QFY98. Combined DT/OT will start in 2QFY 99 with the F-15C and F-15E, with a dedicated OT phase also in FY99. The Navy COMOPTEVFOR plans operational tests (OT-IIB-1 and OT-IIB-2) of MIDS onboard ships in 3QFY98 and 4QFY98. Results from these tests will be reported in the next update to the annual report.

No operational test and evaluation activity was conducted in 1997. Observations of development test activities indicates MIDS-LVT terminal software and host platform integration is immature and will require focus during operational testing. MIDS-LVT has undergone a six month program slip which will impact terminal deliveries dates and the test schedule.

The development and production of MIDS FDL engineering hardware and software is on track and six terminals are expected to be delivered for test in January 1998. Reliability evaluation will be challenging due to the high number of hours required between mission critical failure (1,000 flight hours for the FDL). Initial findings from the FDL Early Operational Assessment indicates FDL terminal software is maturing on schedule and early laboratory results indicate the FDL will have TADIL J message and wave form interoperability with the Class 2 JTIDS terminal.

Prior operational testing of JTIDS showed that platform integration and different implementation of TADIL J protocols and messages resulted in challenges to ensure joint interoperability. Early and repeated joint operational tests are helpful in detecting and fixing joint interoperability problems. Difficulty in reducing and analyzing message data during JTIDS operational tests resulted in plans to purchase in-house data reduction and analysis tools for future MIDS operational tests.

Active participation by DOT&E and DTSE&E in MIDS Integrated Process Team (IPT) meetings greatly assisted in design of a combined DT/OT that supports a streamlined schedule for the MIDS FDL, allowing the program to reach an earlier production decision, while still ensuring that adequate operational testing is conducted.