Date: Mar 01, 2012 Source: ARMY SBIR Success Story (
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During flight operations, aircraft avionic systems must be integrated and be able to effectively communicate with each other through the use of multiplex data bus systems. The data bus controls data streams among aircraft components. Presently, testing these bus systems requires extensive flight testing that is costly and results in safety of flight issues. A critical requirement exists to be able to transparently manipulate aircraft data as it moves throughout the platform to verify and validate these systems.
Coherent Technical Services, Inc. (CTSi) developed the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command Mudbucket technology and validated its use controlling and manipulating the conditions within aircraft MIL-STD-1553 systems. MIL-STD-1553 is a military standard that describes mechanical, electrical and functional features of a serial data bus.
CTSi began this innovation under the technical direction of the Army Aviation Flight Test Directorate (AFTD) who is building a System Test and Integration Lab (STIL) for a virtual testing environment. This technology enables combined systems of systems testing in a controlled environment and under various conditions with other Army and Department of Defense (DoD) facilities. This testing can be fully immersive, where all simulation is completely controlled by the tester, or additive, such as in flight tests where the Mudbucket can be used to enhance and add a degree of control to an open-air flight test.
In addition, CTSi is developing the complementary Mudbucket ARINC 429 data bus technology, which has the potential to support Army Aviation STIL test requirements and the much broader commercial aviation market. The safety risk and high cost of open-air flight testing influences the degree to which the aviation test and evaluator can observe responses to variable aircraft and system states. Full involvement, system-to-systems integration and testing are mandatory to meet Army future force requirements.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSITION:
CTSi has received $5.9M in Phase III funding from various sources to further develop Mudbucket and integrate it within the STIL. The Joint Distributed Infrared Counter Measures (IRCM) Ground-Test System (JDIGS), AFTD and NAVAIR are purchasing additional Mudbucket hardware and software to support ground based countermeasures testing. The Navy, leveraging the Army SBIR investment, has contracted with CTSi to deliver an F/A-18 Mudbucket surrogate that can be used to test UAV software for Navy specific missions under the monitor and control of an onboard safety pilot. The Navy is also using the Mudbucket to integrate new guidance and control systems into existing air platforms to enable autonomous aerial refueling development and test.
