The AEGIS Weapon System (AWS), which includes the SPY-1D radar and vertically launched SM-2 surface-to-air missiles, provides DDG-51's area defense anti-air warfare capability. For ASW, DDG-51 uses the SQQ-89 surface ASW combat system, the LAMPS MK III ASW helicopter, over-the-side torpedoes, and vertically launched ASW standoff weapons. DDG-51 also employs TOMAHAWK and HARPOON missiles, and has a five-inch gun for anti-surface and strike warfare missions. The Phalanx close-in weapons system, along with the SM-2 missiles and gun, provides self-defense against anti-ship missiles. The DDG-51 AEGIS Combat System is the integration of the AWS, the SQQ-89, and the ship's anti-surface, strike warfare and self-defense systems.

DDG-51s are being constructed in flights to incorporate technological advancements during construction. Flight II, authorized in FY92 with the first ship delivered in 1997, incorporates improvements to the SPY radar and communications systems and adds active electronic countermeasures. Flight IIA, authorized in FY94 with the first ship to be delivered in 2000, adds hangar facilities to accommodate two helicopters, deletes HARPOON, and replaces Phalanx with the Enhanced Sea Sparrow Missile. FOT&E of a Flight IIA ship will occur in FY00-FY02.

The SPY-1D radar system is the multi-function, phased array, three-dimensional (range, altitude, and bearing) radar which conducts search, automatic detection, and tracking of air and surface targets. The SPY-1D also provides mid-course guidance for the SM-2 missile. SPY-1D is a variant of the SPY-1B radar system on later TICONDEROGA (CG-47) class cruisers, tailored for a destroyer-sized ship. The AN/SPY-1D(V), under development for installation in later Flight IIA ships, is an improved system with better performance against targets in clutter, additional moving target indicator wave forms, and greater ability to counter deceptive electronic attack measures.

The DDG-51 program has undergone continuing OT&E since inception. DOT&E's FY91 report contains a complete summary of the eleven periods of testing prior to commissioning of the ship, along with assessments and significant deficiencies. Rigorous at-sea testing of the Flight I ship was conducted during FOT&E from 1992-1996, thereby verifying the correction of previous deficiencies and finding the ship to be generally effective and suitable. A comprehensive Live Fire Testing Program for the Flight I ship, including the conduct of a Shock Trial in 1994 and a Total Ship Survivability Trial in 1995 has also been conducted.

The AN/SPY-1D(V) underwent its first phase of OT in FY96. The test (designated OT-IIF1), which was conducted at the Aegis land-based test site at Moorestown, NJ, examined performance of the radar engineering development model against simulated and actual targets in both clear and electronic attack conditions. SPY-1D(V) demonstrated better low altitude detection and performance in clutter than the operational SPY-1D radar. Based on these results, OPTEVFOR found the improved radar potentially operationally effective and suitable and recommended continued development. The Navy authorized LRIP in January 1997 and plans to install SPY-1D(V) in DDG 91 and later ships. Additional details may be found in our 1997 annual report.

Work on an update of the TEMP and development of detailed plans for the FY98 FOT&E of DDG-51 Flight II and SPY-1D were nearly complete when the PEO for Surface Combatants elected to postpone the test until late FY99. This action was taken because of fleet concerns about interoperability problems and mounting evidence that the AEGIS computer program intended for use during FOT&E, Baseline 5.3.6, did not yet satisfy the minimum software maturity requirements established by DOT&E in 1994. A high number of unresolved Priority 1 and 2 Computer Program Change Requests (CPCRs) were identified for the ship's computer program. Some of this evidence came from a Software Development Process Review, in which OPTEVFOR and DOT&E actively participated.

Subsequent activity has focused on developing a new test strategy for OT-IIID. A key element of that strategy is extensive OTA involvement in DT events and other ship tests and trials leading up to FOT&E. In keeping with that strategy, OPTEVFOR observed missile firings and interoperability testing in USS MAHAN (DDG-72) and missile and gunnery exercises in USS MCFAUL (DDG-74) during the last half of the fiscal year. Additionally, work continued to identify, fix and/or resolve the CPCRs associated with the Baseline 5.3.6 Computer Program and essentially ensured readiness of the follow-on program Baseline 5.3.7 for use during the rescheduled FOT&E in August 1999.

LFT&E activity for DDG-51 Flight I is complete, however, the Navy is continuing its efforts to extrapolate Shock Trial results to full design condition. This work is now expected to be complete in December 1998. The Navy granted a waiver from full-up system level live fire testing for DDG 51 Flights II and IIA, which DOT&E forwarded to Congress along with a DOT&E-approved update to the class LFT&E Management Plan. DOT&E participated in and provided oversight for component shock tests for Aegis combat systems equipment including commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items mounted in ruggedized cabinets.

In 1992 DOT&E assessed the Flight I DDG-51 as operationally effective and suitable; however, we share the Navy's concern that software UPGRADES are being introduced into the fleet without adequate OT. Whether because of inherent immaturity or inadequately engineered interfaces with other systems, software concerns have delayed Flight II FOT&E as well as Cooperative Engagement Capability OT. These issues illustrate the need for comprehensive interoperability testing of our increasingly complex and interdependent shipboard combat systems. Current planning for DDG-51 and SPY-1D FOT&E is considered adequate and will be reflected in a revised TEMP expected to be finalized by the end of CY98. Details on DDG-51 survivability and SPY-1D(V) radar performance are addressed in DOT&E's classified report.

Year 2000 Certification for the AWS computer programs are in progress. A technical assessment conducted on the AWS programs by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, validated them to be operationally compliant, that is all critical missions were performed without impacting the AWS, but some discrepancies were documented in the display area. The PEO reports that these display dates are not used in the computation of ordnance on target and all errors have been assessed to have no operational impact. Certification of non-AWS programs in the Aegis Combat System is still in progress. DOT&E review of this certification is underway.

The independent vulnerability assessment of the Flight I program will be completed once the Navy finishes the Shock Trial extrapolation work. A comprehensive Live Fire Test and Evaluation program for the Flight IIA ship is in progress. The program includes a Shock Trial of a Flight IIA ship scheduled for the third quarter of FY01. DOT&E supported the Navy's request for funds for this shock trial, which was approved by Congress with funding in the FY99 Defense Appropriations Bill (P.L. 105-262). Component shock testing of COTS equipment revealed weaknesses in the cabinet and display mounts. Corrections have been tested, and qualification of components and cabinets is pending.