Combined Systems Integration and EF-18 OFP 06 Validation and Verification Process in the Spanish Air Force

A. Alonso Menéndez, Centro Logístico de Armamento y Experimentación. Ejército del Aire, Torrejón Air Force Base, Madrid, Spain
R. Gómez Blanco, Centro Logístico de Armamento y Experimentación. Ejército del Aire, Torrejón Air Force Base, Madrid, Spain

Abstract

The constant developments of new military systems technologies, together with the evolution of the scenarios, imply a continuous demand of new systems integrations in the platforms in service. In aircraft equipped with configurable software, such as the EF-18, these integrations must be synchronized with the development and testing of the corresponding Operational Flight Program (OFP). During the last four years, Spain has successfully completed a national EF-18 Mid Life Upgrade Program performed by EADS/CASA (responsible for Hardware) and the Spanish Air Force (responsible for Software). With these features, the aircraft was equipped with a new Tactical Pilot Awareness Computer, two new MIL-STD-1760 wing tip connections, a Combined Interrogator Transponder, a new recording and display system, one Intraflight Data Modem and all the HW provisions for MIDS.

With an EF-18 upgraded aircraft, it is possible to accomplish all the new Spanish Air Force Staff requirements. To do this, during the next two years, the Spanish Air Force will carry on a tight OFP development and systems integration program that will be finished at the beginning of 2008 with the release to the fleet of the new OFP 06. The main new requirements considered for this OFP are the integration of the all weather EGBU-16 precision bomb, the Air to Air Infrared IRIS-T missile, the Cruise Air to Ground missile KEPD-350 and MIDS partial functionality. Activities for systems integration are mainly devoted to determine the limits of the compatibility system-aircraft. Activities for OFP development and certification process are mainly focused on the fulfillment of the corresponding user requirements. The basic technical details of all those main activities are presented, paying special attention to the coordination tasks with the main goal of delivering on time the required capabilities to the Spanish Air Force fleet.