 |
|
||
| FY98 Annual Report | |||
RADAR WARNING RECEIVER (RWR) AN/ALR-56M
| Air Force ACAT III Program: | Prime Contractor | |
| Total Number of Systems: | 524 | Lockheed Martin Fairchild Systems |
| Full-rate production: | 2QFY93 | Service Certified Y2K Compliant |
| Yes |
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010
The AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) contributes to the Joint Vision 2010 concept of full-dimensional protection by improving individual aircraft probability of survival through improved aircrew situational awareness of the radar guided threat environment. The ALR-56M includes a fast scanning superhet receiver, superhet controller, analysis processor, low band receiver/power supply, and four quadrant receivers. The ALR-56M is designed to provide improved performance in a dense signal environment and improve detection of modern threat signals compared to the version of the ALR-69 that it replaced. A miniaturized version of the F-15's ALR-56C, the ALR-56M, is a form and fit replacement for the ALR-69 RWR in the F-16 Block 40 and other aircraft. ALR-69 upgrades are underway for earlier blocks of the F-16 and other aircraft. The ALR-56M is the RWR chosen for integration into the open architecture Defensive System Upgrade Program (DSUP) in the B-1B bomber Conventional Mission Upgrade Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A December 1992 DOT&E B-LRIP report stated that the AN/ALR-56M was effective and suitable. In addition, the 1992 DOT&E B-LRIP report recommended FOT&E "because of the deferral of tactics verification testing and the concern about bearing errors and delayed deletions during extensive maneuvers, follow-on operational testing should be conducted to address tactics and survivability." The current TEMP calls for additional ALR-56M testing as part of continuing Block 40 and Block 50 F-16 follow-on testing.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1989 Conference Report directed that "all future operational results for RWR update programs be reviewed and approved by the Director of Operational Test And Evaluation, prior to obligation of production funds." The AN/ALR-56M is such a program.
FOT&E has been conducted by the USAF Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Warfare Center on subsequent software versions. ACC has continued routine upgrades to Mission Data Table software to keep pace with changing electronic order of battle priorities for various geographical areas of operation. No substantial changes have been made to the ALR-56M's performance problems with bearing errors and delayed deletions during extensive maneuvers. However, tactics verification testing during FOT&E resulted in notations in the ALR-56M User's Handbook concerning the operational significance of the performance problems considered to be training issues. Training is required to ensure that aircrews understand ALR-56M performance during maneuvering.
TEST & EVALUATION ACTIVITY
Fiscal Year 1998 test activity involved ALR-56M weapon system sustainment block cycle/operational flight program changes. A broad summary of those software changes include: (1) update of Mission Data threat parameters; (2) improved threat information interface with the ALE-47 expendable countermeasure dispensing system (OFP 1020); and (3) improved detection of emitters with complex waveforms. A combined DT/FOT&E was planned on ALR-56M software Version 0030, however initial lab tests revealed major software problems that would prevent fielding of the software. These problems could not be resolved in time to meet the recommended deployment date. Update requirements were incorporated in the Version 0040 test currently in combined DT/OT testing. Version 0040 will include upgraded computer hardware and re-host of the execution software language to ADA.
DOT&E staff has monitored the T&E process through dialogue, staff visits, and review of reported results. The TEMP has not been updated since IOC and FOT&E test plans are being submitted for DOT&E review. T&E planning associated with new platform integration and acquisition of the AN/ALR-56M (such as its inclusion in the B-1B DSUP architecture) should be specifically reflected in the TEMP and Test Plans for any new platform and/or defensive system architecture initiatives (e.g., the B-1B Conventional Mission Upgrade Program Block F (DSUP) TEMP Annex, and associated Test Plans).
TEST & EVALUATION ASSESSMENT
The T&E process involves a sound mix of hardware and software in-the-loop testing and flight tests. Version 0040 DT&E testing is underway with expected completion in December 1998. FOT&E testing of Version 0040 is expected to begin in January 1999.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
