Rockwell Collins has successfully completed end-to-end validation of its Common Range Integrated Instrumentation System (CRIIS) that will replace the Advanced Range Data System currently in use at major U.S. military test ranges.
The 13 test and evaluation flights, held at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in early September, were conducted with production representative hardware and software in cooperation with the University of Iowa Operator Performance Laboratory using an L-29 military jet trainer aircraft. The high dynamic scenarios involving a total of 133 dynamic maneuvers representative of flight profiles fighter jets undertake during air combat training, and demonstrated key functions including data link network ingress after takeoff; ground-to-air uplink of GPS correction messages and network services from multiple data link towers; and air-to-ground downlink of Time, Space, Position Information (TSPI) messages.
The CRIIS equipment, configurable in either a pod-mounted package or internally mounted to adapt to use by a wide range of aircraft from all over the world, fulfills Department of Defense requirements to provide TSPI and additional platform test data, while employing a more robust, spectrally efficient data link, including Multiple Independent Levels of Security.
The CRIIS uses common, modular components within an open architecture to create an easily installable, reliable and supportable system that will fully integrate into complex training scenarios and will keep up with testing the speed and accuracy of today's advanced weapons systems through a low-risk upgrade path.
