fax 732-323-7445 malesichma @navair.navy.mil Abstract -The DoD has achieved success with recent Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) families, as evidenced by the Navy's Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS) and the Army's Integrated Family of Test Equipment (IFTE) programs. However, as these systems age, the increased requirements for technology insertion due to instrument obsolescence and the demands of advanced electronics are becoming evident. Recent advances in test technology promise to yield reduced Total Ownership Costs (TOG) for ATE which can incorporate the new technology. The DoD Automatic Test System (ATS) Executive Agent Office (EAO) objective is to leverage technology to significantly reduce total ownership cost. Several objectives have been identified including use of synthetic instruments, support for legacy Test Product Sets (TPSs), and more efficient ways of developing TPSs. The NxTest software architecture will meet the objectives by providing an open systems approach to the system software. This will allow for the incorporation of commercial applications in the TPS development and execution environments and support current advances in test technology.
An innovative methodology has been developed to achieve the objectives of carrier operation optimization programs utilizing Integrated Definition (IDEF) modeling and associated Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) tools. The primary objectives of the programs include manpower reduction, integrated automation, and support for new operational concepts. The methodology incorporates the use of process Modeling and Simulation (M&S) to establish the requirements for developing optimized carrier operations. This approach uses new techniques in performing analyses required, and replaces costly stovepipe approaches. Process M&S illustrates the impacts on operations if manpower is reduced, the impact to manpower if processes are modified, the areas where automation is most beneficial, and the capacity of existing and proposed processes in terms of meeting operational requirements.
Process M&S is also used to assist in the evaluation of carrier re‐design proposals, the analysis of potential modifications to existing doctrine, and the analysis of human factors issues. The IDEF process modeling methodology, coupled with the interfacing requirements of the process, information, and product models identify opportunities for improvement. The methodology provides a basis upon which changes and specifications to the current system acquisition process as well as carrier operations can be made in a “total ship” evaluation framework.
Rob provided insight into the need for integrating process, product, and information M&S applications and has discussed approaches for achieving this integration with the authors. Rob has also provided information regarding the application of systems engineering to M&S efforts.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.