CV-22 testing accelerates in August

Capt. Tamilyn Becker, US Air Force,

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE: The CV-22 Osprey, an aircraft unlike any other, is now in the midst of a test unlike any other.

In the developmental test and cvaluation phase, CV-22 testing has primarily been conducted by Bell-Boeing. However, when the Naval Air Systems Command requested an electronic warfare integrated assessment test, the 412th Test Wing Electronic Warfare Group was tasked with this mission, making it the first government-run electronic warfare test of the CV-22.

Unlike its Marine Corps counterpart, the CV-22 is equipped with a suite of integrated radio frequency countermeasures radar warning receiver and jammer system, an ALE-47 countermeasures dispensing system and a directional infrared countermeasure system.

This configuration will enable the CV-22 to safely penetrate and escape enemy territory allowing it to perform its missions of special forces insertion and combat search and rescue. While each of these components has been tested independently, EWIA looks to evaluate the cumulative effect of these systems along with tactics, techniques and procedures. The overall test objective is to demonstrate the susceptibility of the CV-22 weapon system in a simulated threat environment.

This highly accelerated test is being conducted entirely in August. There will be 12 to 15 hours of flight testing performed at two different test ranges. Back-to-back, day-after-day missions will be needed in order to hit all required test points. The aircrew will use a combination of maneuvers, chaff expendables, radar warning receiver threat cueing, onboard electronic countermeasures and low-altitude terrain clutter in an attempt to escape a simulated threat engagement.

“This is an exciting opportunity that pulls several aspects of test together for a limited platform-level susceptibility demonstration,” said Photi Christofas, 412th Test Wing electronic warfare engineer.

EWIA represents a true teaming effort across the entire spectrum of the Air Force. The Air Force Flight Test Center is providing the technical expertise and test planning through the 412th TW. The aircraft themselves, and the bulk of aircraft maintenance, are deployed from the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and Air Education Training Command at Randolph AFB, Texas. The 18th Flight Test Squadron here, Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5 here are providing maintenance, support and operation of the instrumentation suite.

Logistical challenges and inter-command differences have been significant obstacles, but the diverse team has overcome these hurdles and is ready to test, according to those working on the combined test.

August is a critical month for the CV-22 and its test team. Everyone involved in CV-22 testing is anticipating the results of this EWIA test.

“We've put a lot of hard work in to get ready for this test,” said Roger Packhamm, 412th Test Wing electronic warfare engineer analyst. “Now that preparation for the test is over, the real fun begins — actually testing the aircraft.”