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Show HlHop!$ , November 12, 1998 1 1 radar software problem isolated F-- 16 EDWARDS AFB, Calif. (AFPN) While conducting routine flight tests of new software for the 6 Fighting Falcon's fire control radar system here The problem occurred when the software edited valid targets out of the radar beginning flight tests. Even without the benefit of such simreturn signal, mistaking certain tar- ulations, engineers were able to isolate gets for interference caused by reflec- the cause of the problem at the facility. earlier this year, the Combined tions off buildings or the ground. IFAST radar engiJessen and lead Test Force found a problem: the softThese types of reflections, known neer, Sonbang Nguyen, analyzed the ware was performing worse than older as clutter, appeared differently at Edwards problem on an radar test bench. software in certain situations. than at the contractor's test site in Bal"The IFAST let us quickly and "The new radar software added a featimore because of the desert's differcheck a large number of difture designed to remove interference ent clutter background. ferent parameters," Jessen said. "It caused by other radar systems, such The Integration Facility for Avionic also allowed me, as a test engineer, to as radar emitted by another aircraft," Systems Testing, or IFAST, is currently effectively be in the cockpit, see the said radar test engineer Jeff Jessen, involved in the development of new simresults and change the direction of testCombined Test Force. "We tested ulation software that will be able to ing, if needed. the radar's target detection perforreproduce various types of background "Testing in the IFAST allowed us to mance both when it was set to remove clutter in simulations. check different hardware and software interference and when it wasn't. When The new capability will allow engi- configurations that would have taken the radar was set to remove interferneers to simulate at least two flights," he added. "Overprobence, we found that its performance lems found during flight or even find all we saved three flights and about didn't meet our requirements." such problems on the ground before $45,000." F-1- F-1- 6 F-1-6 F-1-6 ly F-1-6 clutter-relate- 1 nHERISHABLEV " TRY (IO C O U N HI fc LIS d After demonstrating there wasn't a hardware problem and there was no loss of sensitivity between frequency channels, testers loaded the old software into an fire control radar system and conducted a flight test using the same profiles used to test the new 's software. "When the results came in better than tests with the new software, the contractor went back to the drawing board," Jessen said. "They then found a prob- lem with the software's design after looking at the test data some more. "The contractor refined the software to avoid editing a target signal," Jessen added. "We then flew the test points again, and results to date look good." (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel ( MERCHANDISE STAMP CARD Receive a $10.00 Gift Certificate with every $100.00 spent See Store For Details SINCE 1988 Specializing in home decor, florals, crafts, gifts, candles, bird houses, and much more! fyjjj ,1 WEED Prints YOUWG Calendars Cards November 13, 14, and 15 Sunday, 1- -5 1 -- i for We neee Gifts Visit the Artist's Studio Friday and Saturday, t 8 p.m. p.m. 306 West 700 North Brigham City (435) 734-954- 6 Fax: (435) 734-210- Wr4 ill HEATING PLUMBING PDQ Health' & Wellness Products Body Composition Analysis Programs Sleep Replacement Therapy Seminars and Workshops . 3 & AIR CONDITIONING Residential Commerical Installation Replacement Repair Sheet Metal Free Estimates General Contractor Therapeutic Services Rentals and Supplements Detox Program Breastfeeding Management Counseling Marriage and Family Counseling Massage Therapy Body Contouring Inch Loss Program Davis North Medical Plaza, Suite 3 West of North Davis Hospital, Layton http:www.bodyprofile.com Call Today 773-344- 4 GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR THE HOLIDAYS |