The Electronic Warfare Self Protection Ground Systems of Project Echidna, AIR 5416, Phase 2A.

1. The Electronic Warfare Self Protection Ground Systems of Project Echidna, AIR 5416, Phase 2A. Dr Derek Rogers Product Manager - Ground Systems

2. The Echidna Story • 16th February 2005: Senator Robert Hill announced the awarding of the $135.5 million contract • “… Project Echidna will introduce a comprehensive EW mission support system and provide modifications to the applicable simulators and other support systems necessary to fulfil operational and training requirements …” • Aims included: • “ … Maximising equipment commonality across aircraft types; • Minimising through-life support costs; • Minimising project overheads and schedule; and • Maximising quality Australian Industry Involvement (AII), including the introduction of an indigenous EW capability, the ALR-2002. …” Source: Project Echidna Media Release, DMO website

3. Echidna -Integrated Ground Support solution with matches integrated Air System Echidna –Automation; Rapid Turnaround Phase 2A – Integrated Ground, Air, Training and Support Classic EW lifecycle - Not always achieved optimally or timely Training Devices EW MDS ABD, UDF, OFP EW Support Packages Crew Planning Data Transfer Device IEWMSS Modified Aircraft Software Development & Management Warning Order, TD H/W-in-the-Loop Test & Evaluation Intel Installed EWSP System Post Mission Data Analysis EW MDS Logs, Debrief info Logs Mission Debrief Emitters

4. Echidna Common EWSP Suite • EW Suite Controller Processor (EWCP) • EWC Control Panel (CP), • EWC Support Panel (SP), • Safing Unit (SFU), • EWC Primary Display (EPD), • Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), • Missile Warning Receiver (MWR), • Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS).

5. Learning within the Echidna ‘Program’ Echidna Phase 2A (Air System) MWR, CMDS Structures MWR, CMDS Structures Installation Installation RWR Installation Chinook Interim Blackhawk Interim Chinook RA Potential Simple GS Simple GS Existing GS 19” Rack, Power Supplies, Simplified UDFG RWR Assembly 19” Rack, Power Supplies, CMDS Assembly FSMH, Installation Echidna Phase 2A (Ground System) SME ALR 2002 SDE Integrated SDE (Study) PRISM SDE

6. Black Hawk Interim Mission Support System • Installed and in the final stages of Acceptance • Some common EW components with Phase 2A • New element - Firing Sequence Measurement Hardware (FSMH) and associated software. • An enhancement over the Phase 2A requirements and with agreement flowed into the Phase 2A design.

7. Echidna Phase 2A • Three new Ground Systems products: • IEWMSS - Integrated Electronic Warfare Mission Support System • MDS - Mission Data System; and • PTT - Part Task Trainer. • Echidna Phase 2A also modifies existing ground systems: • Simulated Aircraft Maintenance Trainer, • Maintenance Training Aid (MTA), and • Full Flight & Mission Simulator. A prototype of the PTT is on display at the BAE Systems stand – internally using this for training Aircraft Installation, ILS and other Ground Systems teams.

8. IEWMSS - key to a closed loop operational environment EW MDS ABD, UDF, OFP Modified Aircraft Pre-Flight Planning IEWMSS IEWMSS – Focussed on automation and integration for minimal turn-around times. Software Development & Management Warning Order, TD H/W-in-the-Loop Test & Evaluation Intel Installed EWSP System Post Mission Data Analysis Mission Debrief ABD – Aircrew Briefing Document (Multimedia) UDF – User Data File OFP – Operational Flight Program Logs, Debrief info EW MDS Emitters

9. The IEWMSS Difference • Echidna includes an integrated EW Suite; IEWMSS takes this to the next level in terms of Ground Systems • A key part of the closed loop operational environment • A highly integrated and automated system • Leads to faster (operationally focussed) turn-around times; • Less operator errors and frustration with repeated data entry; • Will functionally replicate (real) and emulate the EW Suite on the aircraft • Advanced monitoring capability • Designed for expansion/growth in terms of additional EW components • Allows parallel streams of activity and adaptable to multiple platforms • Links with National Threat Databases One reviewer comment “… generations in advance …”

10. IEWMSS Subsystems • Software Support Environment (SSE): • Produces software for the EWSP Suite • Manages the software development process • Hardware Mockup Unit (HMU) • Aircraft components, emulators, monitoring equipment • STIMS – Coordinated RF and UV Stimulators • Software Development Environment (SDE)

11. Stimulators • The RF Stimulator provided by EW Simulation Technology Limited. • A Dual Channel Four DF Port Threat Simulator. • Operates over the frequency range 0.5 to 18.0 GHz • Generate up to 258 signals at a time • Drives the UV Stimulators – for integrated EW scenarios • The UDFG integrates with the RF Stimulator software • Automatic population of emitter and platform information.

12. Hardware Mockup Unit HARDWARE MOCKUP UNIT MOTION DEVICE (Riley) Emulation and Monitoring components Avionics components

13. MWR Motion Device - Riley • Adjacent to the HMU is the Motion Device • The Motion Device, Riley, moves the MWR sensors as a coordinated set, under software control, to mimic an angle of missile attack on the aircraft.

14. Software Support Environment • Includes: • Software Management Environment (SME); • User Data File Generator (UDFG); and • IEWMSS Computer System (ICS). • UDFG • Composes and generates a User Data File (UDF) for the EWSP Suite • Based on an existing software tool licensed from SELEX • Also includes BAE Systems developed • Ambiguity Analysis and Probability of Report Tools • Interfaces to the RF Stimulator to provide parametric information and assist in the analysis of test results • Interfaces with the SME that produces the Aircrew Briefing Document (ABD) and associated artefacts Positive user feedback: “That looks like, no that is, our process!!”

15. Software Management Environment (SME) Integrated Tools / Workflows - Workflows and templates can be updated/adapted as needed Resource Management MS Project Change Management Synergy / Change Replay of EWSP Suite logs Requirements Management DOORS Configuration Management Synergy / CM Post Mission Data Analysis Design Tau G2 UDF-VALID Log Data Correlator HMU monitored logs Aircrew Briefing Document and Associated Artefacts

16. Software Development Environment (SDE) • The Software Development Environment (SDE) is an important component of Through–Life Support (TLS) • Provides a subset of development tools, processes and associated hardware, primarily for OFP development. • Can be located either in or external to the client’s facility with no redesign • Complex air-gap transfers successfully implemented and tested SDE Server SME Server SME SDE

17. Concluding Remarks • The Echidna Phase 2A system will offer the Australian Defence Force a number of gains in terms of EWSP. • The rapid acquisition and interim projects - deployed to meet operational needs, have provided a good learning opportunity for the Phase 2A. • Have inducted the first Blackhawk aircraft ready for modification • Ground Systems are moving from development into integration / test • The approach on Ground Systems is to leverage CMMI level 3 for guidance and increase process maturity. • IEWMSS can form a basis for integrating various client facility laboratories and leveraging expensive resources (e.g. RF Stimulators) • UDFG, for example, is an extension of that used on Wedgetail

18. Future Visions • Related studies (e.g. Integrated SDE) will prove beneficial • In terms of the Through-Life Support of EW Systems. • Integrated SDE = Echidna SDE with ALR2002 SDE and PRISM SDE • Longer term as a platform linking R&D, Operations and Support • Future EW projects can also leverage the work of the Echidna Ground System, for example, C130J, CH47F, Tigers, NH90, C17 or AAR’s. • Design philosophy of adaptability • Moving to more modular and more open architectures • In summary • There may be potential for export opportunities (similar to Nulka) – can adapt the software processes/templates to fit the organisation • Echidna is an important project for Australian Industry and can provide a springboard for the future.