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Overview
Supplemental
Technical Program
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Quint Networking Technology (QNT)
Program Manager: Lt Col Stephen Waller (TTO)
Approach:
Phase 1 of the program will focus upon analysis, trade studies, component development and the top waveforms of interest, and is envisioned to have two competing contractor teams. The feasibility of specific technologies such as those emerging in JTRS, TTNT, and other DoD waveform/radio programs as a baseline for QNT system application will be assessed. The phase 1 effort will conduct concept exploration, including in-depth studies, simulations, and HWIL feasibility experiments. As part of this phase, QNT SRR and PDR will be conducted, with the Phase to culminate in the PDR.
Phase 2 will be included within each contract awarded as Option 1. Based upon the technical plan submitted under phase 1 will determine if this option is exercised. Phase 2 of the program will complete the QNT design and conduct the QNT CDR. Prior to CDR, hardware feasibility will be shown using HWIL testing to include breadboards. The breadboards and associated HWIL testing will demonstrate component/breadboard weapon data link functionality for operating two waveforms simultaneously. The design of the overall weapon data link network control architecture will also be done, and supported by simulations. Trade studies for waveform selection and for aircraft integration, ground element integration, and weapon integration will also be completed. This portion of the effort will also construct the simulation basis supporting weapon data link hardware and software design and test. The simulation basis, the HWIL feasibility testing using breadboards will address both low data ate and high data rate goals of QNT.
After the QNT design is complete, Phase 2 will concentrate upon selecting and building brass boards of the candidate QNT design, and the completion of the simulation and HWIL testing of these designs. There will be two different brass boards built. Brass board #1 will be designed, built, and evaluated against the goals for the low data rate, 10 in3 weapon data link. Brass board #1 should provide (HWIL with radios) 2 waveforms in real-time, 2 channels, 10 in3 and 2 lb form factor, and WDL provisioning in <5s. Brass board #2 will be designed, built, and evaluated against the goals for the high data rate, 30 in3 weapon data link. Brass board #2 should provide (HWIL with radios and control software) waveforms in real time, 2 channels, 30 in3 and 7 lb. form factor for a QNT radio capable of both low rate and high rate waveforms with WDL provisioning in < 5s. Overall network software control software should be working as a simulation, and prototype software tools for waveform control and setup tasks should be complete. Phase 2 will end with a Test Readiness Review determining if the Brass Board QNT radios are ready for field tests.
Phase 3 will focus on extensive testing of the Brass Boards constructed in Phase 2. Ground testing will be completed and based on the ground test results a flight/field test plan prepared to support flight/field test readiness reviews. Following flight/field readiness reviews, flight/field demonstrations will be conducted at the end of the Phase. It is the intent of this program to test two demonstrations:
- Dismounted ground unit working in conjunction with an airborne UAV (surrogate possible)
- Air-to-ground weapon receiving guidance updates and performing bomb impact report back (aircraft to weapon)
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