How Are the Latest Advanced Weapons Tested and Evaluated?

Repeatedly conducted over 6 stages... Step-by-step results utilized as data for decision-making

[Agency for Defense Development] Weapon systems developed domestically must undergo various testing processes to verify their performance and functionality. Taking the development of guided missiles as an example, testing is divided into tests for components and tests for the completed guided missile.

For the warhead, which is a component of the guided missile, warhead tests, environmental tests, insensitive munitions tests, and sled tests are conducted. For the propulsion system, ground combustion tests, insensitive munitions tests, and environmental tests are performed. For the airframe structure, wind tunnel tests to create aerodynamic models and structural tests to verify safety and integrity are carried out. For the guidance and control section, simulated flight tests conducted in the laboratory as well as various outdoor tests are performed. Only after the performance of each component is verified through these diverse tests are various flight tests conducted on the completed guided missile.

Flight tests are divided into aircraft integration tests, programmed firing tests, guidance performance firing tests, and active warhead firing tests. Through these various tests, information related to the weapon system’s performance is collected, and a series of processes to evaluate the developing weapon system is called ‘test and evaluation.’

The fundamental purpose of test and evaluation is to obtain the necessary information for decision-making to proceed to the next stage in the stepwise development process of the weapon system, to prove and verify whether the required performance is met, and to determine whether the weapon system is suitable in terms of operational effectiveness, suitability, survivability, and safety. In research and development projects, during the exploratory development phase, operability is confirmed to provide decision-making data on potential operational effectiveness and operational suitability.

Additionally, in the system development phase, developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) is conducted to measure technical performance and verify whether design issues have been resolved, confirming the achievement of technical objectives. Operational test and evaluation (OT&E) is also performed to verify whether operational requirements are met in the operational environment.

▲ Procedure of Test and Evaluation= So, what procedure does test and evaluation follow? Test and evaluation is carried out by repeatedly applying six stages at each phase to provide decision-makers with the necessary data for decision-making.

The first stage is setting the test objectives, where the required test and evaluation information is identified by the decision-makers. The second stage is conducting a preliminary test analysis, where numerical values or predicted test results of system performance are used to establish and decide on test scenarios, test environments, test items, test resources, and test sequences. The third stage is the test phase, which includes various test activities such as test planning, test execution, data management, and test result reporting. The fourth stage is the evaluation phase, the core stage of test and evaluation, where test results are analyzed to determine whether requirements are met or unmet. Evaluation results and comprehensive opinions are derived as outcomes.

The fifth stage is assessing the acceptable risk level. If the test results are satisfactory or not, decision-makers determine whether criteria are met or unmet, and whether the system is suitable or unsuitable for combat use. If solutions to defects found during test and evaluation are proposed, the weapon system may be retested if necessary to confirm that the risk level is within an acceptable range for the decision-makers.

The sixth stage is the improvement phase. Defects occurring during testing may stem from errors in system design, test methods, or test procedures. This stage continuously derives ways to reduce research and development risks by analyzing or correcting such issues.

Test and evaluation becomes more complex and difficult as the weapon system nears completion
Risk of accidents from test stage 1 objective setting through stage 6

After setting the test objectives in stage 1 and conducting preliminary test analysis in stage 2 to align with the test objectives, test conditions, environments, and sequences are determined. When conducting tests, it is essential to carefully follow the items established in stage 2. Failure to verify these items not only prevents proper test execution but also makes analyzing test results difficult. Moreover, while it is important to conduct test and evaluation in accordance with the test objectives, safety is paramount because the risk of accidents always lurks around.

Test and evaluation progresses from component testing to completed weapon system testing, becoming more complex and challenging as it approaches the completed weapon system stage. This is because all components must operate perfectly. In the case of guided missiles, the final stage flight tests?such as guidance performance flight tests or active warhead flight tests?are the most difficult and demanding. For such difficult and complex weapon system test and evaluation to be conducted flawlessly, it is essential that all participants perform their roles perfectly.

Taking the test of an air defense weapon system’s aircraft response capability as an example, let’s look at the roles of the personnel involved. First, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used as a target must fly along a planned trajectory, which is the responsibility of the UAV operator. Measurement personnel are also needed to track the trajectories of the aircraft and guided missile. Depending on the measurement method, there are radar measurement operators, telemetry measurement operators, and Doppler measurement operators.

The guided missile is prepared and launched by the guided missile operator. Safety of the sea area where the missile impacts is managed by the maritime safety officer, and safety at the firing range is managed by the test safety officer. Tests are conducted by assigning and coordinating roles to test personnel according to the planned sequence, which is the responsibility of the test director. The test director controls all activities during test execution from the test control center.

In this way, many test personnel participate in the test under the control of the test director, performing test and evaluation safely and systematically.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.