TELEMETRY IN TESTING OF UNDERSEAS WEAPONS

Abstract

The performance testing of underseas weapons involves many of the same challenges as for other “smart” systems. Data sets on the order of GigaBytes must be extracted, processed, analyzed, and stored. A few KiloBytes of significant information must be efficiently identified and accessed for analysis out of the great mass of data. Data from various sources must be time correlated and fused together to allow full analysis of the complex interactions which lead to a given test result. The fact that the various sources all use different formats and medias just adds to the fun. Testing of underseas weapons also involves some unique problems. Since real time data transmission is not practical; the vast bulk of the test data is recorded and then recovered with the vehicle at the end of the test. Acoustics are relied on for identification and ranging. As systems continue to get smarter; the rates, capacities, and “smarts” of the equipment and software used to process test data must similarly increase. The NUWES telemetry capabilities developed to test and analyze underseas weapons could be of use on other government related projects. “Key words: Telemetry, data processing, data analysis, undersea weapons, smart weapons, torpedoes, performance testing.”