CORE CAPABILITIES

Our Challenge

Establish a capability to modify, build, integrate, and test the tactical software changes for version 14A software build for the AH-64 D Apache PPSS. When TriVector joined the team, there were no programmatic processes or systematic approaches for testing defined; which would be required for achieving the independent AIMS certification required to fly with the ADS-B out upgrades.

Our Experience

TriVector’s subject matter experts (SMEs) led the Systems Engineering Team and participated in the Systems Engineering IPT for V14A which addressed the AIMS certification process and led the effort to establish the team processes and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) including updating the Project Management Plan and the Software Development Plan.

Our Performance

• Integrated Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) hardware and upgraded Version 14 software to incorporate the Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) Out and Mode S functionally required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates.
• Airworthiness Liaison and prepared the Airworthiness Qualification Specification (AQS), performed the Delta System Safety Analysis for the ADS-B Out functionality, developed and coordinated the Software Change Impact Analysis (SCIA), acted as the Test Lead for the Software Test Plan, Software Test Description, and the Software Test Report for version 14A and performed coordination with multiple outside agencies.

Our Value

• The TriVector team defined the software engineering processes, including the airworthiness and safety processes, defining a testing strategy, and contributed to the execution of the plan for the V14A software build. Additionally, worked with the AIMS Project Officer representatives to execute the DoD 1102 AIMS Test prior to Formal Testing.
• TriVector defined tests that would be used for the Aircraft Test Plan (ATP) prior to the Ground Test and the subsequent Flight Test demonstration. The S3I AH4-64D Apache PPSS is the first team to successfully modify Apache software without the Prime contractor’s support.

Our Challenge

• In SLS avionics labs, the test system captures data transactions and analog signals from hundreds of SLS interfaces, then immediately timestamps each one using a very accurate lab time source.
• A common, accurate, and automated time reference was needed for analysts to correlate SLS events in the simulated environment with real-time data transactions along the lab timescale.

Our Experience

• This work was conducted and led by a Senior Systems Engineer and Project Manager SME on MIPSS SME.

Our Performance

• We developed an algorithm to derive the time of the lab clock when SLS flight computer clocks cross T-0, with sub-millisecond accuracy (needed for precise data analyses).
• Leveraging the relationship between timestamps on MIL-STD-1553 buses, we initially prototyped the algorithm as a macro, tested it among a small NASA group, and obtained buy-in from NASA leadership.
• TriVector led Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) and SLS Propulsion engineers to automate the solution as the standard reference for all test reports.

Our Value

• This solution automatically provides a consistent reference time for avionics test datasets from the various SLS avionics labs.
• Standardizing and automating Lab T-0 has saved thousands of hours annually, thus expediting SLS avionics test analyses and requirements verification.
• Jacobs management recognized TriVector’s technical accomplishments by announcing us as the winner of the Edwin F. Connors Award, awarded to for outstanding contributions by an individual or team that improves the quality of NASA support.

Our Challenge

• Provide an organizational assessment of the AMRDEC Aviation Engineering Directorate’s (AED) Mission Equipment Division (MED).
• Included an assessment of the technical capabilities,the organizational culture of the branches within MED, and identifying future training needs in key technical gap areas.

Our Experience

• TriVector’s subject matter experts (SMEs) were knowledgeable of the AED Airworthiness Release (AWR) process and how it relates to all of MED’s engineering disciplines. They also had expertise in organizational structure and culture

Our Performance

• Conducted two phased analyses:
  • Interview Phase for MED employees and external stakeholders
  • Survey Phase for just MED employees.
• Utilized organizational and technical challenges identified in the Interview Phase to develop a survey from the assembled interview data and lists. Survey participants were presented a survey unique to their branch on branch-specific topics.
• Input data collected from the Survey Phase used to identify the culture of each branch based on the Blake and Mouton Managerial Grid. Also identified key general training needs for the Division and specific training needs for each branch.
• Presented findings to the MED Division Chief, Branch Chiefs, and employees with a recommended structural change strategy.

Our Value

• Identified critical needs within MED and provided recommendations proven to improve both organizational culture and technical training needs.

OUR CHALLENGE

• Develop and implement an assembly, integration, test, and manufacturing process flow to produce parts and assemblies of the Block 1 Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB).

OUR EXPERIENCE

• This work is currently being conducted and led by a Senior Systems Engineering and a team of senior aerospace, mechanical, and systems engineers.

OUR PERFORMANCE

• The TriVector team developed the standard template/pathfinder for upcoming Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), which has led to multiple successful TRRs with the US Army customer.
• The TriVector team is also leading efforts in the development and delivery of the Avionics Test Equipment Validation Plan (ATEVP). The ATEVP describes the plan to validate all Avionics Test Equipment prior to its first use for flight hardware acceptance or qualification testing. This document governs the validation testing of DTS-built test equipment and provides requirements for initial validation of purchased commercial test equipment.

OUR VALUE

• Our team took unorganized data and developed a process flow for the planning, execution, production, and testing process for glide body components and assemblies. Our Manufacturing CONOPS is used exclusively by the Prime Contractor’s Common Hypersonic Glide body (CHGB) Team and the Sandia National Labs (SNL) Team.
• Originally created for the Operations and Facilities team to visualize the flow of the Block 0 glide body components, the Manufacturing CONOPS evolved to begin tracking Block 1 components as well as more aspects of the Glide Body including part numbers, testing, and location/manufacturing responsibility data on each component.

Our Challenge

• Work with the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) Gold program office, a competitive contract environment, for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to ensure that Critical Technology Elements (CTIs), Technical Performance Measures (TPMs), and Nuclear Radiation Survivability engineering assessments and schedule reviews all ensure that this high-cost and high-value work is on track and executing as planned.

Our Experience

• This work is currently being conducted by a team of program managers, test and evaluation, electrical, and systems engineers.

Our Performance

• Our work includes interfacing with the larger MDA community including Ground-based Midcourse Defense Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and Technical Direction Agent (TDA) personnel working at various Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) in technical interchanges with the prime contractor on engineering topics while considering how the engineering trades affects mass, performance, reliability, survivability, concept of operations (ConOps), and program cost and schedule.
• TriVector’s engineering assessments include determining Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for new technologies that increase the likelihood of NGI intercepting targets.

Our Value

• TriVector SMEs have aided the NGI Gold Program Office with Earned Value Management (EVM) by participating in EVM meetings with the prime contractor and the subcontractors and interviewing the Cost Account Managers (CAMs) directly on design, prototype, and test efforts.
• Specific engineering topics for which TriVector SMEs have made significant contributions are Nuclear Radiation Survivability, Sensors, Avionics, and Lethality.