M109A6 PALADIN TECHNICAL SUPPORT

The objective of this program was to plan for and conduct Formal Qualification system level tests for a fully operational Paladin. The purpose of the system level test is to ensure that all of the system components function correctly and meet all system level requirements when the software, hardware and communications equipment are installed on a fully functional M109A6 howitzer. For the Paladin program, this is of particular concern since there are four different contractors each providing major components of the Paladin system.

Decilog performed a review of all system level requirements for the Paladin and developed a test plan for a Level C Formal Qualification Test of the Paladin Automatic Fire Control System (AFCS). The test plan included a traceability matrix for the system level requirements to be tested and specified the pass/fail criteria for each test to be performed. Tests were developed to verify the ballistic computational accuracy (in comparison to data provided by BRL), navigation/position accuracy, communications capability to both Battery Computer System (BCS) and Forward Observer/Fire Support Team (FO/FIST) computers, and database processing capability of the AFCS. Decilog also developed detailed test procedures and assisted the Government in the conduct of the Level C test. During the testing, Decilog's duties included monitoring the test procedures both within the howitzer and at the BCS, collecting and analyzing data to determine system performance, and the preparation of Test Incident Reports (TIRs) for next day review by a Data Review Board and transmittal to the Automated Data Acquisition and Collection System (ADACS) at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The Level C test was performed at ARDEC, Picatinny Arsenal in the Paladin System Integration Facility (SIF) and on a 15 Km navigation course at ARDEC.