Testing Military Software in the Near-Operational Environment

摘要

A crucial step for either initial issue development or post deployment supportupdates of military software products is integrated systems testing. After the development team has conducted progressive coding/module level tests and appropriate systems integration tests (using a systems integration laboratory), a proposed new version for the software product emerges. The critical issue becomes 'Is this version ready for final operational testing and for release for use by our military users'. During Developmental Test and Evaluation (DTE), each proposed new version is subjected to integrated systems testing. The configuration item is installed into representatively configured military hardware system (aircraft, ships, etc.). During testing, it is operated in the near-operational environment (at sea or in flight, using highly skilled military operators performing a carefully planned representative task). The authors are team members of Naval Helicopter software development Integrated Program Teams (IPTs). Their pragmatic experiences in performing this value added testing in the near-operational environment is useful for consideration by all software developers and testers.