AIRWORTHINESS QUALIFICATION/RELEASE

Hypersoft Inc. provides airworthiness qualification/release technical expertise in support of AH-64A/D, CH-47F and UH-60M programs for both standard and experimental configurations. Over the past 19 years Hypersoft has participated in all areas of hardware and software airworthiness qualification efforts including flight control upgrades, navigation system enhancements, missile and rocket improvements, gun accuracy, avionics upgrades and common cockpits.

Our efforts have included the analysis, review, preparation, testing, witnessing and approval recommendations for all seven engineering disciplines associated with this critical process.

The Hypersoft team has supported many airworthiness qualification flight test briefings for experimental and production platforms including the Apache Chinook, Kiowa Warrior and Black Hawk helicopter systems. Systems supported include the Apache Flight Management Computer (FMS), the Embedded GPS Inertial navigation system (EGI), Longbow MY I, Longbow MYII, MCAP, Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS), and countless others.

As a member of numerous flight safety parts review panels we have provided technical expertise for both the electronic and software components making up today's modern avionic systems. These analyses, evaluations and recommendations have identified support parts needed to complete tests, such as, full compliance with D0-178B. In addition to defining test criteria and procedures we have evaluated manufactures reports and conducted independent evaluation to approve or disapprove product quality.

Hypersoft personnel have performed analysis of failures to determine the hardware or software anomaly and determine the root cause within the Army's emerging avionic systems. Further our qualified staff has resolved numerous safety and mission critical failures ahead of time, which have resulted in saving lives and dollars.

SYSTEM ANALYSIS

1. Contract Definition. Review and modification of the Production-Contract Statement of Work and the analysis of labor and material estimates and schedules for the contract.
2. Computer Program Documentation and Support. Review and analysis of the Computer Program Development Plans and the Post Deployment Software Support Facility (PDSSF) Plans. Activities have involved the support of four distinct categories of Computer Resources:
   • On-board. This consists of avionics and fire control mission suite hardware and computer programs.
   • Training Systems. This consists of training devices programs covering the operation and maintenance of major aircraft and weapon systems.
   • Automatic Test Equipment. This consists of Intermediate and Depot level Test Program Sets and ATE systems.
   • Management Information Systems. This consists of financial, cost accounting and publications systems.
3. Avionics Operational Software Qualifications. Review of computer program specifications and testing plans, procedures, and instrumentation for integrated avionic systems.

Embedded GPS/INS Systems: All technical aspects concerning the successful integration of the systems on U. S. Army helicopters; Apache, Longbow, Kiowa Warrior, SOA, and other Tri-Service aircraft.

Improved Data Modem (IDM) Support: Studies of the system, software, and hardware characteristics for Attack Helicopter airborne fire control and performed analyses of AAH fire control software.

TF XXI Support to Fire Control Systems: Development of a draft Battlefield Digitization plan for integrating the Apache Longbow Attack Helicopter with other Army Aviation assets and fire control system.

Secure Communication System Support: Studies of the system, software, and hardware characteristics for Attack Helicopter airborne fire control and analyses of AAH fire control software.

Built-In-Test (BIT) Evaluation: Study of AAH BIT approach. Investigation of Fault Detection/Location System for all aircraft systems.

OPTICS AND LASER

Hypersoft Inc. was an integral part of the team that developed the requirements for the development of the AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Set. Hypersoft evaluated the AN/AVR-2B LDS requirements to ensure that all requirements were valid. This technical evaluation included the implementation of the MIL-STD-155B bus and the ARINC RS-42 bus.

Hypersoft provided the software, hardware and interface requirements for the AVR-2B Statements of Work for the Interface Unit Comparator and the Sensor Unit. Hypersoft developed the Multiplex Interface Control Document (MICD) with the MIL-STD-1553B, RS-422, Ethernet, and analog/discrete interfaces between the AVR-2B and the Army Aviation helicopters. Hypersoft provided software technical support for the development of the AVR-2B Airworthiness Qualification Plan. Hypersoft developed a preliminary MIL-STD-2525B symbol for displaying laser warnings on aircraft displays. Hypersoft include all inputs for the Joint Variable Message Format (JVMF) K04.8 Entity Warning message in the AVR-2B MICD. Hypersoft participated in the SRR, PDR, and CDR, leading the Software Integrated Product Team, for the AN/AVR-2B LDS program.

The Hypersoft team has provided technical expertise for the integration of the Modified Target Acquisition and Designation System (MTADS) on to the AH-64A/D. Our support effort involved the integration of the FLIR, Image Intensification and TV sensors with the cockpit display, Integrated Helmet display (IHADS) and the Fire Control System.

TEST PROGRAM SET (TPS)/ AUTOMATED TEST EQUIPMENT (ATE)

Hypersoft Inc. provided TPS/ATE engineering to the Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH) Program Manager's Office (PMO) System Engineering Division in support of integrating various Developmental and Material Changes on the AH-64A Apache and Longbow Helicopters. These activities required significant ATE/TPS experience to ensure that built-in-test software and hardware requirements are supported to achieve vital system performance while developing the current and future Apache fleet.

Hypersoft Inc. support involved defining test criteria and performing BIT/BITE performance verification on the Longbow Apache including configuration audits, technical problem reporting and resolutions delivered on-site to 25 Electronic Equipment Test Facility located worldwide. As senior technical experts to the Apache TPS Center Hypersoft personnel developed the integration of the Personal Atlas Workstation (PAWS) into the TPS-DDS. Additionally, Hypersoft performed special projects to justify the integration of Integrated Family of Test Equipment (IFTE) into Army Aviation. All ATE/TPS related data and recommendations were coordinated with all Government agencies, subcontractors, service contractors, and prime contractors.

Apache ATE/TPS systems included: Longbow Fire Control Radar, Display and mission processors, Embedded GPS Integration (EGI), High Frequency (HF) Radio, Aviation Mission Planning System (AMPS), Alternate Laser Codes (ALC), Post Deployment Software Support Facility (PDSSF), and Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

Hypersoft Inc supported the effort to improve embedded diagnostics with the integration of Heath Unit Monitoring System (HUMS) on the AH-64, ICH, and the UH-60 and recommending the emerging standards to be employed through Army Aviation.

GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM

Hypersoft has been instrumental in the engineering effort for the following:

• GPS

  Hypersoft developed the Single Acquisition Management Plan (SAMP) and Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) for the EGI P3I project. The SAMP defines the responsibility for the overall program management of the army GPS program for the Force Modernization Aircraft Fleet. The TEMP includes all GPS P3I test requirements and refers to the annexes for the platform specific thresholds.

• JPALS

  Hypersoft participated as a member of the GPS teams for the programmatic and technical aspects of this joint service program. The need and technical requirements of the JPALS evolve from critical experiments and early developments of the navigation warfare initiative.

• NAVWAR

  Hypersoft and participated as the Army Aviation Representative to the technical advisory panel (TAP). Our Army aviation expertise provided input in the evaluations, analysis, or recommendations for the short, mid and long term development of the protection and the denial aspects of navigation warfare. A general list of the analysis, evaluations, studies, and recommendations that we were involved in can be found at Appendix I.

• DGNS

  Hypersoft participated as a GPS team member in the development of the technical requirements and programmatic issues that resulted in the contract award for the DGNS+.

• EGI

  Hypersoft developed the requirements for the implementation the EGI P3I program on the Apache AH-64A. This effort was based on the replacement of the backup bus controller on the Apache AH-64A with a 2nd Fire Control Computer (2FCC) and the installation of the EGI+. A study was to be completed to determine how to implement the MMR. Additional modifications were to be implemented to meet the requirements of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Instrument Flight Rules/ Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IFR/IMC). This EGI+ integration and installation contract for the AH-64A was awarded in September, 2003. However the funding was withdrawn and the contract had to be canceled.

  Hypersoft developed a technical approach for the Apache Longbow implementation of the EGI+. The technical approach also included the complete provisions only (CPO) for the MMR. The technical approach included:

  • Install and integrate the SAASM into the EGI+,
  • Provide capability for Fault Detection Exclusion/Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitor,
  • Provide capability for installing the MMR on top of the EGI+, and
  • Modify the EGI and AH-64D aircraft to meet the requirements of FAA/ICAO IFR.

  A Statement of Work (SOW) was finalized for the integration and installation of the EGI+ with CPO of the MMR into the AH-64D. However the funding for this contract was never provided.

• EGI+

  Hypersoft has participated in the requirements and design definition for integrating the EGI+ into the AH-64D Multi-Year III Open System Architecture (OSA) for Avionics. Our experience has provided design leadership for this critical task that will have to operate in both FAA and ICAO airspaces. This requires the AH-64D to operate in IFR/IMC and requires that the EGI+ be considered as a flight critical system. Our unique system experience provides the foundation for understanding the new features of the Longbow Apache OSA and the use of partitioning. Appendix II entitled “Integrating the Embedded Global Positioning System Inertial into an Open System Architecture” provides additional insight into this new approach for avionics integration.

• EGI+ 429

  Hypersoft prepared a fact paper that compared the MIL-STD-1553B versus the ARINC 429. Hypersoft analyzed the current Apache implementation of the EGI and the proposed Sikorsky implementation using the ARINC 429 specification. The purpose of the fact paper was to refute the Sikorsky claim that the MIL-STD-1553 implementation of the Apache helicopter had latency errors. Both the Blackhawk and Chinook program offices have implemented the EGI+ 429 version of the EGI.

  Hypersoft was instrumental in the air worthiness process decision that was reached between Honeywell and AED. Hypersoft worked with AED, SED, and Honeywell to analyze all of the requirements for the EGI+ 429.

• MMR

  As a member of the GPS team with primary responsibility of integration into platforms we supported the development of Honeywell's approach to incorporating a MMR into the EGI. The results of our efforts came to fruition with the successful test and incorporation of a commercial off-the-shelf receiver into the EGI. Key to this development was the use of the commercial off-the-shelf receiver that had already been approved for operations in civilian aerospace thereby saving the army millions of dollars in qualification criteria.

• GGP

  Hypersoft participated with PM-AME NAV in the analysis of the LN-251 to determine if the LN-251 could possibly be used on Army Aviation helicopters. The PM-AME team held brainstorming sessions to compare the current Honeywell EGI with LN-251. Issues and questions from the brainstorming sessions were sent to Northrop-Grumman. Northrop-Grumman presented the LN-251 briefing to the PM-AME team. The PM-AME team prepared a briefing for Program Executive Office Aviation based upon the analysis of the Honeywell EGI and the Northrop-Grumman LN-251.

• SAASM

  Hypersoft participated as the army aviation technical representative to the NAVWAR TAP responsible for defining the appropriate technologies needed to resolve the shortcomings of the GPS network. The TAP defined the technical requirements for the improvements to overcome the challenges of the electronic warfare environment. The SAASM was one of many technologies evaluated that met the short term need. Our participation continued through the development and final production phase of this module. Our support was instrumental in the coordination of the “Gang of 4” companies with the responsibility of developing both hardware and software.

• CXP

  As a member of the GPS team Hypersoft participated in the source selection process of the CXP program. Additionally an evaluation of the feasibility of installing transponders both integrated and non-integrated were developed.

Hypersoft, Inc.
St. Charles, MO 63301
USA
Fax: 636-947-8074