Test and Evaluation of Aircraft Avionics and Weapon Systems

Robert E. McShea is the Director of Avionics and Systems Academic Programs at the National Test Pilot School, Mojave, CA. He is responsible for the formulation, preparation and instruction of all Avionics and Weapons Systems taught at the school. Mr. McShea was formerly employed as a Senior Technical Specialist at the Northrop-Grumman Corporation in Palmdale, CA. His primary responsibilities included the integration, development and test requirements definition for the B2 RADAR. Prior to that assignment, he was employed by the Grumman Corporation in Calverton Long Island as a Group Manager for Avionics and Weapons Systems Test in the Test and Evaluation Department. His responsibilities included the development and test of new and upgraded avionics and weapons systems. A collateral duty involved the development of lectures on Flight Test Methodology and Requirements presented to potential FMS customers.

• Chapter 1: What is Avionics Flight Test and Why Do We Need ItChapter 2: Time, Space, Position InformationChapter 3: MIL-STD-1553 and Digital Data Busses: Data Reduction and AnalysisChapter 4: Communications Flight TestChapter 5: Navigation SystemsChapter 6: Part 23/25/27/29 Avionics Civil CertificationsChapter 7: Electro-optical and Infrared SystemsChapter 8: Radio Detection and Ranging - RadarChapter 9: Electronic WarfareChapter 10: Air-to-Air/Air-to-Ground Weapons IntegrationChapter 11: A Typical Avionics Integration Flight Test ProgramChapter 12: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)Chapter 13: Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) and Helmet Mounted Displays (HMD)Chapter 14: Acquisition, Test Management, and Operational Test and Evaluation

Robert McShea's second edition of Test and Evaluation of Aircraft Avionics and Weapon Systems is a timely update of a highly regarded text. The second edition retains the readability and excellent graphics that made the first edition a useful resource while adding important new material.The updated material on civil certification will prove beneficial to avionics engineers as they prepare their avionics systems to go through FAA certification. With the rapid expansion of Unmanned Air Systems(UAS) in both military and civilian applications the chapter on data links as well as the new chapter on these UAS platforms will benefit engineers and program managers as they migrate from manned aircraft to UAS procurement and testing.Modern aircraft are relying more heavily on night vision devices and helmet mounted display systems. The additional chapter on NVIS and helmet mounted displays provides the flight test professional an excellent overview of the testing methodology for these integrated display systems.Overall, this text is an excellent update of an already valuable reference for the systems flight test professional and should be a ready reference for all flight test engineers and aircrew working in the discipline.