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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
	FY98 Annual Report

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The Strategic War Planning System (SWPS) will provide the National Command Authority with information superiority contributing to the full-dimensional protection of the nation. SWPS is a modernization effort designed to transition applications from a mainframe architecture to a client-server architecture. Additionally, the war planning process is evolving to a "Living SIOP" (Single Integrated Operational Plan) concept based on continuous analysis of guidance, forces, and target changes with a graduated war planning process equivalent to the magnitude of the changes.

Major objectives of the SWPS Modernization Program include the reduction in SIOP development and implementation time from 18 to 6 months, the development of limited options in as little as 24 hours, and the implementation of platform-compatible common, deliberate and crisis planning tools in both fixed and mobile planning environments. Additionally, the increased computational workload from the incorporation of new, low observable weapon systems had to be accommodated without impacting the new requirements for system responsiveness.

The conceptual SWPS computing environment consists of graphics workstations as the predominant application-processing platform. A global server provides access to printers and global data (data used by more than one SWPS application). External links are controlled by the global server through guard processors. The communications backbone contains four rings supporting TOP SECRET SIOP/Extremely Sensitive, TOP SECRET, SECRET, and UNCLASSIFIED information processing.

SWPS supports Joint Vision 2010 in the area of precision engagement. The improved responsiveness and reduced SIOP cycle time, coupled with the potentially higher effectiveness make SWPS a direct warfighting asset for the tactical and strategic commanders.

The SWPS Modernization Program is a consolidation of several upgrade projects that respond to major program planning guidance objectives identified in the DoD Defense Guidance issued in May 1992, and listed as part of the USSTRATCOM SWPS Mission Need Statement (August 3, 1993). A February 1994 system decision memorandum established the acquisition program and initiated OSD oversight of the program.

The test strategy has been structured to evaluate the system throughout the course of entire SIOP cycles, as major applications are ready for evaluation. A recent decision to accelerate the modernization effort has resulted in a test program that conducted its first operational test in 1997. A full system OA was conducted in FY98. A full system operational test is to be conducted in FY99.

In accordance with the DOT&E-approved TEMP (January 1997), AFOTEC conducted an IOT&E on the SWPS Missile Application using the Single Integrated Operational Plan process in July 1997. The primary criteria for measuring missile application system performance consisted of time-to-plan requirements and field abort percentages. The IOT&E revealed no major problems; however, there were some shortcomings. The missile planning subsystem demonstrated the required performance throughout the test. The users thought the system was a significant improvement over the legacy system. Shortcomings fell in the area of suitability¾ primarily document production, error abatement and complexity. Software documentation also needed improvement. These shortcomings will be examined closely in the FY99 OT&E.

A system-wide OA was conducted during FY98, which collected data regarding reliability, maintainability, and availability (RM&A).

The core system OT&E will evaluate the development of a SIOP for the year 2000 (SIOP 2000). Data collection began in July 1998 and will continue for approximately 14 months. During this period, the full SWPS system will be evaluated regarding Deliberate Planning, Adaptive Planning, and Theater Planning, as well as SWPS interfaces and overall mission accomplishment.

The yearlong OA conducted during FY98 concentrated on the collection of specification and RM&A data needed to perform programmatic risk analyses.

The system is prepared to undergo full OT&E during FY99. It will examine the performance and suitability of the complete SWPS. AFOTEC is employing its new Combined Task Force concept. The initial evaluations will be geared towards risk assessment and the later evaluations geared towards mission accomplishment.