Results of Distributed Tests With Integrated Live-Virtual-Constructive Elements: The Road to Testing in a Joint Environment

摘要

The phrase 'testing in a joint environment' refers to testing military weapons and supporting systems in the joint mission environments in which those weapons and systems are expected to operate. The Office of the Secretary of Defense chartered the Joint Test and Evaluation Methodology project to institutionalize testing in a joint environment by improving the ability to conduct tests, across the acquisition life cycle, in realistic joint mission environments. Specifically, the project was directed to develop methods and processes for using distributed live-virtual-constructive joint test environments to evaluate system performance and joint mission effectiveness. In 2007, the project completed a series of such tests to assess an initial set of methods and processes. Tests of network-enabled air-to-surface weapons and ground-launched surface-to-surface precision attack missiles were used to provide context for system performance evaluations. Joint mission effectiveness was evaluated by conducting Joint Fires and Joint Close Air Support with the above weapons and other supporting systems. These tests were accomplished as part of the 2007 INTEGRAL FIRE event sponsored by the Air Force Integrated Collaborative Environment program. This article describes results after methods and processes for testing in a joint environment were used by experienced testers to design and assemble an actual distributed joint test environment. Results identified improvements to the processes as well as recommendations for test organizations. To streamline routine test planning for distributed testing, we recommend test organizations consider procedures such that each acquisition program has a lead test organization designated for distributed testing. We also recommend that test organizations consider establishing formal relationships to manage the distributed test environment as a single facility.