Ship Suitability Testing – Preparing for the Future

Ronald J. Harney, Senior T&E Engineer for Ship Suitability Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, MD, USA

Abstract

In support of the United States Navy Sea Power 21 initiative, ship suitability test and evaluation personnel are preparing to support a large number of test and evaluation programs. The pillars of Sea Power 21, which include Sea Basing, Sea Shield, and Sea Strike call for a diverse set of new and modified aircraft and air capable ships. Ship compatibility testing may be required on aircraft ranging from the two variants of the Joint Strike Fighter to the Firescout unmanned helicopter; and from C-130 cargo aircraft to small unmanned seaplanes.

Additionally, aircraft compatibility testing will be required on ships ranging from the Littoral Combat Ship to the DDX destroyer, and from a new amphibious assault ship to the latest in nuclear carrier technology, CVN-21, which will incorporate all new electric catapult and arresting gear equipment. The precision approach landing systems group is already testing enabling technologies for a new GPS-based Joint Precision Approach and Landing System, which will significantly change the air traffic control environment, enable all aircraft to have precision approach capability, and provide the means to operate fighter-sized Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles on aircraft carriers.

These aircraft/ship test and evaluation programs will require the development of new methodology. They will also require the testers to research and modify test techniques that have not been used for decades. We are also challenged to seek methods to minimize testing requirements and manpower while still giving the Fleet operator the maximum possible safe operating envelope.

From rotary wing to tilt rotor to fixed wing aircraft and from hydroplanes to catamarans to the super carriers, the ship suitability test and evaluation group will be responsible for testing aircraft/ship compatibility in a highly dynamic and challenging environment.

This presentation will provide a brief overview of the upcoming programs and discuss the test and evaluation challenges.