Tactical Data Links (TDL) Testing Training Bootcamp

Tactical Data Links (TDL) Testing Training Bootcamp

Tactical Data Links (TDL) Testing Training Bootcamp is a 4-day training course covering the fundamentals of Tactical Data Links (TDL) Testing and to provide knowledge to assist in Risk Management that’s involved in developing, producing, operating, and sustaining TDL systems and capabilities. TDL testing and certification process is an integral part of the Systems Engineering Process (SEP) which identifies levels of performance and assists the TDL developer in correcting deficiencies.

TDL testing training bootcamp provides knowledge of TDL system capabilities and limitations to the TDL operation and certification community for use in improving the TDL system performance, qualification and optimizing system use and sustainment in operations.

TDL testing training bootcamp enables the TDL testing and certification  and to identify the limitations (technical or operational), Critical Operational Issues (COI) of the TDL system under testing so that they can be resolved prior to operation and deployment.

Test and Evaluation of the interoperability of critical TDL system is essential to reduce the risks faced by warfighters in the field. TDL testing uncover the processes to ensure it is performing tests as efficiently as possible into today’s austere environment.

Learn about on-the-spot TDL system evaluations of problem areas and viable mission-oriented solutions.

A Tactical Data Link (TDL) enables the rapid delivery and exchange of information between command and control and its defense platforms within Land, Air and Maritime domains.

For over 30 years TONEX has supported land, air and maritime military operations, defense organizations and government agencies around the world to deliver situational awareness consulting and training and enhanced operating effectiveness of mission critical TDL systems.  Our team of skilled instructors, consultants and  TDL experts assist participants on all aspects of the TDL testing in addition to TDL  lifecycle processes.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the TDL testing training, the participants will be able to:

• Explain the basic principles and concepts of Tactical Data Links (TDL)
• List related TDL standards and benefits
• Describe the history and background of variety of TDL systems
• Describe the key concepts, features and mechanisms behind TDL testing, evaluation and certification
• Illustrate potential TDL deployment scenarios
• List the basic principles of TDL testing, procedures and methods
• Explain the basics of TDL systems engineering and product life cycles
• Explain the iSMART process and Interoperability testing methodology
• Describe TDL standards, requirements and operational models
• Perform TDL testing and certification policies, methods, tools, and procedures applied to Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, SADIL, VMF, JREAP, EPLRS, IFDL MADL and other TDLs

Who Should Attend

• TDL Technical Managers
• TDL Engineers and Technicians
• TDL Project Managers
• Network Engineers
• TDL Analysts
• TDL Cybersecurity Professionals
• TDL Operational Test Staff

Highlights of TDL Testing Training:

• Position the activities in the complete TDL system verification and validation process
• Use testing terminology in a TDL system
• Use risk to drive the validation efforts
• Make decisions on how to test for defects more efficient
• Plan appropriate (risk-based) techniques to find defects
• Plan appropriate (risk-based) functional testing techniques
• Choose appropriate tests for acceptance, that is, compliance to requirements
• Manage TDL test data and information
• Manage TDL testing requirements and test failures
• Document the TDL test plans (activities, resources, risks)
• Use Interoperability Test and Evaluation and Requirements Transformation (iSMART)

Course Agenda

Systems Engineering Life-Cycle Building Blocks for TDL Systems

• Concept Development
• Requirements Engineering
• TDL System Architecture
• TDL System Design and Development
• TDL Systems Integration
• TDL Test and Evaluation
• TDL Test and Evaluation Strategies
• TDL Test and Evaluation Plans and Procedures
• TDL Verification and Validation
• TDL Certification and Accreditation Strategies
• Implementation, O & M, and Transition
• Other TDL Life-Cycle Building Blocks

TDL Acquisition Systems Engineering

• DOTMLPF (Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel and Facilities)
• EIPT (Engineering Integrated Process Team)
• Interoperability
• IOA (Interoperability Assessment)
• IOC (Initial Operating Capability)
• IOE (Interoperability Evaluation
• IOM (Interoperability Matrix)
• IPT (Integrated Process Team)
• iSMART (interoperable Systems Management and Requirements Transformation)
• JCIDS (Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System)

Main TDL Testing  Activities

• Life-cycle of a TDL system
• TDL Test and Evaluation Strategy (TES)
• TDL Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E)
• Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E)
• TDL Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E)
• TDL Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E)
• TDL Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP)
• TDL Operational Assessment (OA)
• TDL Live-Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E)

TDL Types of Tests

• JITC’s Tactical Data Link (TDL)
• TDLs (Link 11/11B/16/22 and Variable Message Format (VMF)
• Joint / Combined Interoperability
• Joint Testing Requirements
• Performance Assessment in Operational Environments
• Standards Validation
• Standards Conformance
• Combined Interoperability Test Plan (CITP) for Tactical Data Links (TDL)
• United States Message Text Formatting (USMTF)
• Joint Staff J-6 certified Net Ready-Key Performance Parameters (NR-KPPs)
• Approved interoperability requirements
• Developmental Test & Evaluation (DT&E)
• Operational TE (OT&E)

TDL System Reviews

• Life-cycle of a TDL System
• Tactical Data Link (TDL) Testing Programs
• Multi Link Test Facility (MLTF)
• Interoperability
• Capability Acquisition
• Operational Test Readiness Review (OTTR)
• Test Readiness Review (TRR)
• TDL Test and Evaluation (T&E) Capabilities
• TDL Infrastructure, and Resources
• Development of test strategies
• Development of test cases for TDL testing
• TDL Capability Team Interoperability Test Syndicate (CaT ITS)
• Interoperability Assurance

TDL Interoperability Management and Certification

• Systems engineering approaches
• Tools for achieving effective interoperability in a cost-effective manner
• Configuration Management
• Standards Management
• Standards Development
• Requirements Specification
• Verification and Validation
• TDL Test Strategy
• TDL Test Plans
• TDL Test Cases
• TDL Test Script
• Joint interoperable Systems Management and Requirements Transformation (iSMART)
• Development of interoperable systems at the tactical data links
• The iSMART process
• Tactical Data Enterprise Services (TDES)
• MIL-HDBK-524

iSMART Activities           

• Definition and Benefits
• Program Offices/Program Managers/Program Development Agencies (POs/PMs/PDAs)
• iSMART Approach
• THE ISMART PROCESS
• Composition of the IPT (Integrated Process Team)
• IPT Decision Making Process
• Identifying Messages for Implementation
• Incremental Development Plans
• PRS (Platform Requirements Specification ) and PRDD (Platform Requirements Difference Document) Development
• Special Cases
• Developing the Actual Platform Implementation Specification/Platform Implementation Difference Document APIS (Actual Platform Implementation Specification)/PIDD (Platform Implementation Difference Document)
• Preparing the Actual Implementation
• TDES Interoperability Authority Review and Approval

Life Cycle iSMART Support         

• eSMART/iSMART
• The Interoperable Systems Management and Requirement Transformation (iSMART) process
• Message Analysis and Data Reduction for the Integration of Links (MANDRIL)
• Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, VMF and JREAP
• The Portable Unit for MIDS Analysis (PUMA) tool
• The Tactical Integration and Exercise Replayer (TIGER)
• Platform Requirements/Implementation Difference Documents (PRDD/PIDD)
• Bit-level Implementation
• Information Exchange Capability (IEC)
• TDL Platform Comparisons
• IER Matrix
• Capabilities-Based Assessment (CBA)
• Initial Capabilities Document (ICD)
• Capability Development Document (CDD)
• Capability Production Document (CPD)
• Joint iSMART Databases
• Interoperability Enhancement Process (IEP)
• Joint Capabilities and Limitations (JC&L)
• Continuing Challenges

Joint Certification Process       

• Tools/Products
• iSMART Toolset
• US AIR FORCE TEST AND CERTIFICATION
• US iSMART Toolset
• US NAVY
• Developing the USN Platform Implementations
• DOD IEA and DODAF Artifacts
• USN Procedures for Developing, Approving and Certifying Platform Implementation
• US ARMY
• S. Marine Corps iSMART
• Testing and JCIDS Process
• Sample PRDD/PRS in Word Format
• Sample PIDD/APIS in Word Format
• iSMART Life Cycle Updates

iSMART, JCIDS, IT & NSS Lifecycle           

• Example of a Link 16 IOA
• IPT Participant Roles
• MIL-STD-6016 Review Order
• Standard PRDD Rationales.
• Standardized New PIDD Rationales.
• iSMART Terms and Products.
• iSMART, JCIDS, NR-KPP and ISP Functions.
• DoD’s Joint Interoperability Certifier
• non-Service Operational Test Agency for
• risk based Test, Evaluation & Certification

Best TDL Testing Practices and Lessons Learned

• TDL Testing Policy Structure and Oversight Mechanisms
• TDL Testing Process
• TDL Testing Test – Related Artifacts
• TDL Test & Evaluation
• TDL Integrated Testing
• TDL Test Resources
• Multi-Service and Joint TDL Testing
• TDL Testing the Special Cases

Platform Data Example for C2 Systems

• TDL Test, Evaluation, and Certification (TE&C) Activities
• Joint Interoperability Certification Metrics
• E-3 (30/35)
• E-3 (40/45)
• E-8
• ADSI
• BCS-F
• BC3-T (MSCT3)
• TACP
• Fighter
• F-15
• F-16
• A-10
• F-22
• F-35
• Bomber
• B-1
• B-2
• B-52
• Support
• C-130J
• HH-60G
• KC-46
• Other
• ROBE
• CLIP

Hands-On Exercises

• Develop a High-Level BA Validation Strategy and Budget
• Determine Requirements That Can Be Validated and Tested
• Perform a Peer Review
• Choose the Appropriate Technique for Finding Defects
• Develop a Mid-Level Test Strategy
• Develop a TDL system Test Plan
• Choose TDL Testing Techniques
• Develop Inputs to TDL system Test Activity and Decision Coverage
• Develop Inputs to Test TDL System Condition Coverage
• Manage Risk of TDL System Testing

TDL Testing Workshops

• Defining the TDL system minimum implementation and test case structure
• Implement a test policy
• Organize the content of the test plan
• Classifying TDL system defects
• Writing a test validation plan and summary report
• Defining the test metrics
• Plan, Analyze and implement TDL system certification models