SyntheSys’ Multi-Link Test Facility (MLTF) Continues to Add Value to United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD)

Testing the integration of Tactical Data Links (TDL) within military platforms and testing the TDL effectiveness between international coalition forces is no mean feat.  TDL test initiatives come with a high level of complexity and require precision, planning and execution to meet test objectives.  SyntheSys has delivered MLTF services to the UK MOD for the past 9 years to meet the needs of the UK national and international test and trials programmes.  The MLTF complements live trials by providing a realistic, repeatable, simulation-based environment at fixed locations, prior to more expensive, but still necessary, real-world live platform testing, to verify and validate that platforms conform to UK Interoperability policies.  MLTF is also a proven enabler in the MOD drive to increase the use of synthetic training, building on real-world scenarios, all designed to enhance operators’ performance.  MLTF also provides an unrivalled simulation-based training solution, built on real-world scenarios, to enhance engineers’ performance.

We are thrilled to announce the continued support of the MLTF contract, for a further two years.  The contract extension brings further platforms into scope, including the new Queen Elizabeth Carrier, and we are delighted to be providing an Over-the-Air capability which allows transmission using real Link 11 and Link 16 networks.

We continue to deliver an integrated end-to-end service which includes the delivery of Subject Matter Expert (SME) consultancy services, technical meeting support, test equipment maintenance and, more importantly, unrivalled test and federated training initiative support to our UK armed forces.

Mark Hudspeth, SyntheSys’ Programme Director and MLTF Project Manager comments:

‘We are seeing the requirement for sophisticated, simulation-based TDL testing solutions grow, and the UK MOD continues to reap the numerous benefits of employing a flexible, cost-effective service which delivers value for money for the UK armed forces.  For us, our knowledge and experience in this space is becoming more diverse and richer as we respond and adapt to customer requirements, which continues to maintain our position as market leaders in the simulation-based TDL testing arena.  We are also excited to see how the existing MLTF capability can be easily adapted to support the ever-increasing need (and benefit) of synthetic training.’

For further information about MLTF, read the datasheet: http://resources.synthesys.co.uk/defence/multi-link-test-facility.pdf

SyntheSys provide Test Support to Sweden ASC890 Program

SyntheSys is providing test support to Sweden’s ASC890 programme.  We are tasked with development and execution of a Link 16 TDL Interoperability Test event between the Swedish ASC890 and UK E-3D Sentry platforms, over NATO and UK secure networks, interfacing at the E-3D Mission Equipment Facility (MEF), Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington through the UK Multi-Link Test Facility (MLTF) operated by SyntheSys.

The test is planned to take place in February 2014 and SyntheSys are not only developing the test plan and test procedures, but also providing the test direction on site at the Swedish ASC890 facility in Malmslätt.

 

SyntheSys contributes to the F-35 UK Lightning II Interoperability programme.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is currently participating in a series of realistic simulated battlespace environments that test its mission system tactical data interoperability with other UK military platforms in the air/maritime environments.

In the latest simulated maritime scenario, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and US Navy pilots operated the F-35 mission system using Lockheed Martin desk top simulators at BAE System's UK Samlesbury site.  The scenario saw the F-35 successfully linked with a Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control (SKASaC) helicopter, the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, and a Type 45 Daring-class destroyer.  SyntheSys was responsible for establishing and maintaining the data exchange mechanism used in support of the Type 45 participation.

This latest UK Lightning II Interoperability event and a previous  event saw the real systems of the Queen Elizabeth-class Carrier, Type 45 and the Sentry E-3D operated with the  UK Lightning II and other platform desk top simulators.  Both the Type 45 and Sentry E-3D arrangements are noteworthy because they utilise UK Multi-Link Test Facility (MLTF) equipment that enables tactical data exchange using real Command and Mission System equipment.

SyntheSys provides the MLTF capability to the UK MOD, operating and supporting it for all Tactical Data Interoperability testing needs.  Use of the MLTF equipment in these initial Interoperability tests provides confidence that the UK Lightning II  can be readily incorporated into the UK operational tactical data exchange architecture.

Further UK Lightning II Interoperability events are planned. A second phase of testing covering both maritime and air/land integration scenarios will run from 2014 to 2017. This phase will include other key UK military platforms and full integration of the Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control (SKASaC) helicopter mission systems facility which also utilises the SyntheSys MLTF capability.

SyntheSys’ Theatre Missile Defence Experimentation Success

Test Directors and managers on both sides of the Atlantic have heaped praise on SyntheSys’ experts’ contributions to joint Maritime Theatre Missile Defence experimentation.  The US Test Director commented that the SyntheSys contribution was “amazing” and that it was a “pleasure” working with such a professional team, whilst the UK MOD project manager described the contribution as “outstanding”.  These comments followed the latest in a continuing series of experiments to test the Royal Navy and coalition forces abilities to defend surface targets in a virtual Maritime Theatre Missile Defence scenario utilising the US-led Coalition Distributed Engineering Plant.

SyntheSys contributes Multi-Link Test Facility services that provide secure communications between the UK Type 45 destroyer test facility, located at the Maritime Integration Support Centre in Portsmouth, and other coalition naval test facilities in Europe, North America and Australia.  The Multi-Link Test Facility equipment provides sensor feeds to excite the various Type 45 radars and emulates the Link 16 and Link 11 Tactical Data Link networks to share surveillance, command and control, and other information between network participants.  This is a safe virtual environment in which to test equipment, refine tactical procedures, and train operators for engaging ballistic and conventional missiles in preparation for live firing trials planned for 2015.

As well as providing the Multi-Link Test Facility equipment and assisting in the conduct of the tests, SyntheSys supports the tests by coordinating UK government and industry stakeholders to develop test objectives, reviewing and determining scenario changes, and undertaking performance analysis for future tests and exercises.

John Miller, SyntheSys’ Technical Director, commented that “This is a great example of the way in which the Multi-Link Test Facility is providing a very low cost and a very effective way of testing tactical communications systems - analysis shows that it is in excess of 70 times cheaper and has greatly increased control and repeatability when compared with equivalent live tests.”

For more information, please contact SyntheSys at marketing@synthesys.co.uk.

Air Defence System Integrator Upgrade Testing Success

The Air Defence System Integrator (ADSI) which is operated by Number 1 Air Control Centre, RAF, has just undergone a software and hardware upgrade to become more sustainable. Ultra Electronics Command and Control Systems delivered the new hardware and software and the SyntheSys testing team supported the upgrade on behalf of the Situational Awareness Command and Control (SACC) Delivery Team (DT) by providing a Subject Matter Expert to act as Test Director and independent observer.

John Miller, Technical Director for SyntheSys commented that “The service provided included a series of factory acceptance and site acceptance tests.  To provide further test evidence we also utilised the Multi Link Test Facility (MLTF) to test for the ADSI conformance to TDL standards and interoperability with other UK air platforms such as the Sentry E-3D.  These further tests demonstrated how the MLTF provides a highly effective, low cost and low risk approach to testing.”

For further information on Multi Link Test Facility interoperability testing, contact us at marketing@synthesys.co.uk or on 01947 821464.

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