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Apache Innovation
EDS Plays Key Role in Simulating Reality
The Apache Engineering Development Simulator — a systems engineering tool for real.
By Dale Macpherson, Operations Analysis, Modeling and Simulation Manager
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The EDS provides for testing flight in environments where live test is not possible or practicable (e.g. weapons engagements, adverse environmental or flight conditions, crew risk and cost prohibitions etc.).
The U.S. Army relies on The Boeing Company in Mesa, Ariz., to provide the world’s most effective attack helicopter to support its troops who serve around the world. That’s very real. Nevertheless, one of the many tools Boeing uses a variety of tools to accomplish this goal – and one of the most effective – simulates reality. It’s the Apache Engineering Development Simulator (EDS).
Apache EDS was designed, built and integrated into the systems engineering design and evaluation processes in an effort to reduce costs, maintain production and delivery schedules, and reduce the risk of problems with avionics, software and crew station design, and the integration and test processes.
Acting as a third member of the software testing team, Apache EDS supplements the Software Testing Environment (STE) and the Avionics Integration Laboratory (AIL). The STE is script-based code testing while the AIL is a box-to-box test lab. The Apache EDS enables integration testing of operational flight performance software and hardware with pilot vehicle interface and with the aircrew in the loop. The EDS is the only place where all of the system (weapons and flight controls) interfaces can be tested other than on the aircraft itself.
The EDS provides for testing flight in environments where live test is not possible or practical, such as weapons engagements, adverse environments or flight conditions, crew risk and cost prohibitions etc. As such, the Apache EDS has been integrated into the design, test and evaluation strategy for Apache programs for more than 25 years. Having undergone numerous upgrades over the years, Apache EDS represents a significant Boeing capital investment. That very real investment acknowledges the importance to the end user of getting simulation just right.
The Apache EDS has been used in a number of Apache development, test and integration efforts including:
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- AH-64A tests and upgrades;
- AH-64D Block I and Block II (domestic and international) upgrades; tests, evaluations and avionics/software integration; training, tactics, techniques and procedure development;
- the AH-64D Initial Operational Test and Evaluation;
- the AH-64D Force Development Test and Evaluation;
- initial test pilot and pilot training for the AH-64D Block I;
- the development and integration of the Airborne Manned-Unmanned System Technology (AMUST) programs; and
- the development and integration of the Manned-Unmanned Common Architecture Program (MCAP).
MCAP was the precursor to the Apache Block III Open Systems Architecture. The Apache EDS was also instrumental in demonstrating the Apache Block III capabilities and systems engineering approaches necessary to the development of the Apache Block III technologies to various distinguished decision makers.
During the Apache Block III System Design and Development (SDD) phase, the Apache program incorporated the Apache Block III EDS into the avionics/software integration and systems engineering approach. In the past 18 months – in late 2008 and through 2009 – faults and performance indicators were identified using the EDS:
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- 25 Mission Processor Software issues found and fixed;
- 34 Instrument Metrological Condition/Instrument Flight Rule design inputs;
- 6 priority 1 or 2 IMC/IFR Issues identified; and
- 88 UAS design comments/improvements.
Bruce Hamilton, senior manager of Boeing’s Crew Systems & Human Factors Department, said, “The Apache Block III EDS has demonstrated repeatedly that early integration, testing, and user assessment finds 95% of the operational issues that would otherwise be defects found in flight test. The significant reduction in rework costs always offsets the cost of early EDS assessment. The ‘magic’ that makes this happen is requirements validation and early customer buy-in. For the same overall cost, investment in early EDS protects the delivery schedule of the tested and proven product.”
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During the Limited User Test (LUT) and the Force Development & Test and Evaluation, the Apache EDS continues to play a central role in both training and preparing pilots for the LUT and aiding the U.S. Army development of new tactics, techniques and procedures that the Apache Block III technology insertions will enable. Scott Small, retired U.S. Army Apache pilot and Boeing subject matter expert, says, “The EDS provides an excellent platform to conceive and develop tactics, techniques and procedures that maximize the effectiveness of the Apache Block III.”
As a result of the effective use of the Apache Block III EDS, the Apache program has avoided schedule delays, avoided additional costs and reduced risk during the critical development phase. And as we look forward to the future, the EDS will continue to play a key role in the development and systems engineering of the AH-64D Apache developing new tactics, techniques and procedures that enable warfighters to maximize the technologies embodied within the most effective attack helicopter in the world.
In any world, that’s a real value.