the electronic warfare self protection ground systems of project echidna, air 5416, phase 2a

1UNCLASSIFIEDAssociation of Old Crows conference, 2008

The Electronic Warfare Self Protection Ground Systems of Project Echidna, AIR 5416, Phase 2A.

Dr Derek RogersProduct Manager - Ground Systems


The Echidna Story

• 16th February 2005: Senator Robert Hill announced the awarding of the $135.5 million contract

• “… Project Echidna will introduce a comprehensive EW mission support system and provide modifications to the applicable simulators and other support systems necessary to fulfil operational and training requirements …”

• Aims included: • “ … Maximising equipment commonality across aircraft types;

• Minimising through-life support costs;

• Minimising project overheads and schedule; and

• Maximising quality Australian Industry Involvement (AII), including the introduction of an indigenous EW capability, the ALR-2002. …”

Source: Project Echidna Media Release, DMO website


Phase 2A – Integrated Ground, Air, Training and Support

Software Development & Management

Post Mission Data Analysis

H/W-in-the-LoopTest & Evaluation

IEWMSS

Warning Order, TD

Intel

ABD, UDF, OFP

Logs, Debrief info

EW Support Packages

Logs

Crew Planning

Mission Debrief

Data Transfer Device

EW MDS

EW MDS

Training Devices

Installed EWSP System

Modified Aircraft

Emitters

Echidna -Integrated Ground Support solution with matches

integrated Air System

Echidna –Automation; Rapid

Turnaround

Classic EW lifecycle- Not always

achieved optimally or timely


Echidna Common EWSP Suite• EW Suite Controller Processor (EWCP)

• EWC Control Panel (CP),

• EWC Support Panel (SP),

• Safing Unit (SFU),

• EWC Primary Display (EPD),

• Radar Warning Receiver (RWR),

• Missile Warning Receiver (MWR),

• Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS).

CP

EWCP

SFU CMDS

RWR

MWR

EPD

28

Vd

c1

15

V a

c

SDU

Power SupplyElectrical DiscretesFunctional Connectivity

SP


MWR, CMDSStructuresInstallation

MWR, CMDSStructures RWR

FSMH,Installation

19” Rack, Power Supplies, CMDS Assembly

19” Rack, Power Supplies, Simplified UDFGRWR Assembly

Learning within the Echidna ‘Program’

Echidna Phase 2A (Air System)

Chinook RA Blackhawk Interim Chinook Interim

Echidna Phase 2A (Ground System)

Existing GS Simple GS Simple GS

Integrated SDE(Study)

SME

Installation

ALR 2002 SDE

PRISM SDE

Installation

Potential


Black Hawk Interim Mission Support System

• Installed and in the final stages of Acceptance• Some common EW components with Phase 2A• New element - Firing Sequence Measurement Hardware

(FSMH) and associated software. • An enhancement over the Phase 2A requirements

and with agreement flowed into the Phase 2A design.

CFDCU

CMD(x4)

ITM(x4)

MIST (Software)

C-CAT (Software)

Aircraft Emulation Devices

FSMH


Echidna Phase 2A

• Three new Ground Systems products:• IEWMSS - Integrated Electronic Warfare Mission Support System

• MDS - Mission Data System; and

• PTT - Part Task Trainer.

• Echidna Phase 2A also modifies existing ground systems: • Simulated Aircraft Maintenance Trainer,

• Maintenance Training Aid (MTA), and

• Full Flight & Mission Simulator.

A prototype of the PTT is on display at the BAE Systems stand – internally using this for training Aircraft Installation, ILS and other Ground Systems teams.


IEWMSS - key to a closed loop operational environment

Software Development & Management

Post Mission Data Analysis

H/W-in-the-LoopTest & Evaluation

IEWMSS

Warning Order, TD

Intel

ABD, UDF, OFP

Logs, Debrief info

Pre-Flight Planning

Mission Debrief

EW MDS

Installed EWSP System

Modified Aircraft

Emitters

EW MDS

ABD – Aircrew Briefing Document(Multimedia)UDF – User Data FileOFP – Operational Flight Program

IEWMSS – Focussed on automation and integration for minimal turn-around times.


The IEWMSS Difference

• Echidna includes an integrated EW Suite; IEWMSS takes this to the next level in terms of Ground Systems

• A key part of the closed loop operational environment

• A highly integrated and automated system

• Leads to faster (operationally focussed) turn-around times;

• Less operator errors and frustration with repeated data entry;

• Will functionally replicate (real) and emulate the EW Suite on the aircraft

• Advanced monitoring capability

• Designed for expansion/growth in terms of additional EW components

• Allows parallel streams of activity and adaptable to multiple platforms

• Links with National Threat Databases

One reviewer comment“… generations in advance …”


IEWMSS Subsystems

• Software Support Environment (SSE): • Produces software for the EWSP Suite

• Manages the software development process

• Hardware Mockup Unit (HMU)• Aircraft components, emulators, monitoring equipment

• STIMS – Coordinated RF and UV Stimulators• Software Development Environment (SDE)

SSE HMU STIMS SDE

BAESystems

SSF/DSN

IEWMSS Computer Systems

IEWMSS Computer Network SDE Computer Network

Encrypted Link

IEWMSS Computer Systems

IEWMSS Computer Network SDE Computer Network

Encrypted Link

JEWOSUJEWOSUCLIENT’S FACILITY


Stimulators

• The RF Stimulator provided by EW Simulation Technology Limited.• A Dual Channel Four DF Port

Threat Simulator.

• Operates over the frequency range 0.5 to 18.0 GHz

• Generate up to 258 signals at a time

• Drives the UV Stimulators – for integrated EW scenarios

• The UDFG integrates with the RF Stimulator software• Automatic population of emitter and

platform information.


Hardware Mockup Unit

MOTION DEVICE(Riley)

Avionics components Emulation and Monitoring components

HARDWARE MOCKUP UNIT


MWR Motion Device - Riley

• Adjacent to the HMU is the Motion Device• The Motion Device, Riley, moves the MWR sensors as a coordinated set,

under software control, to mimic an angle of missile attack on the aircraft.

MWR Sensors

PTU A PTU B PTU C

Client-side application & Server-side components

IEWMSS EWSP System

PTU D

RF Stimulation Environment

The Riley System

NAV Emulator

Manually Transfer Scenario Data

RunScenario

Baringas


Software Support Environment

• Includes:• Software Management Environment (SME);

• User Data File Generator (UDFG); and

• IEWMSS Computer System (ICS).

• UDFG• Composes and generates a User Data File (UDF) for the EWSP Suite

• Based on an existing software tool licensed from SELEX

• Also includes BAE Systems developed

• Ambiguity Analysis and Probability of Report Tools

• Interfaces to the RF Stimulator to provide parametric information and assist in the analysis of test results

• Interfaces with the SME that produces the Aircrew Briefing Document (ABD) and associated artefacts

Positive user feedback:

“That looks like, no that is, our process!!”


Software Management Environment (SME)

Change Management

Synergy / Change

Configuration Management

Synergy / CM

Resource Management

MS Project

Requirements Management

DOORS

Design

Tau G2

UDF-VALIDLog Data Correlator

Post MissionData Analysis

Aircrew Briefing Document and Associated Artefacts

Replay of EWSP Suite logs

HMU monitored logs

Integrated Tools / Workflows- Workflows and templates can be updated/adapted as needed


Software Development Environment (SDE)

• The Software Development Environment (SDE) is an important component of Through–Life Support (TLS)• Provides a subset of development tools, processes and associated

hardware, primarily for OFP development.• Can be located either in or external to the client’s facility with no redesign• Complex air-gap transfers successfully implemented and tested

SME SDE

SDEServer

SMEServer


Concluding Remarks

• The Echidna Phase 2A system will offer the Australian Defence Force a number of gains in terms of EWSP.• The rapid acquisition and interim projects - deployed to meet operational

needs, have provided a good learning opportunity for the Phase 2A.

• Have inducted the first Blackhawk aircraft ready for modification

• Ground Systems are moving from development into integration / test• The approach on Ground Systems is to leverage CMMI level 3 for guidance

and increase process maturity.

• IEWMSS can form a basis for integrating various client facility laboratories and leveraging expensive resources (e.g. RF Stimulators)

• UDFG, for example, is an extension of that used on Wedgetail


Future Visions

• Related studies (e.g. Integrated SDE) will prove beneficial • In terms of the Through-Life Support of EW Systems.

• Integrated SDE = Echidna SDE with ALR2002 SDE and PRISM SDE• Longer term as a platform linking R&D, Operations and Support

• Future EW projects can also leverage the work of the Echidna Ground System, for example, C130J, CH47F, Tigers, NH90, C17 or AAR’s. • Design philosophy of adaptability• Moving to more modular and more open architectures

• In summary• There may be potential for export opportunities (similar to Nulka) – can

adapt the software processes/templates to fit the organisation• Echidna is an important project for Australian Industry and can provide a

springboard for the future.

the electronic warfare self protection ground systems of project echidna, air 5416, phase 2a

Documents

integrated ew suite

iewmss key

iewmss difference echidna

existing ground systems

ground systems teams

new ground systems products

terms of ground systemsa

echidna programmwr