USN Operational Test and Evaluation Force Squadron VX-9

The US Navy selected Holmes-Tucker International, Inc., to build a system to collect and report all test-related data and to provide a long-term traceable record of FA-18 E/F "Super Hornet" operational testing in 1998. The VX-9 TIMS is a Microsoft Access-based SECRET-level, automated data collection system that is now being used to develop, coordinate, publish, and maintain FA-18 operational test plans, schedules, test data cards and flight test results. This tool set provides "paperless" air and ground crew test pre-briefing and debriefing, and prompts the test mission participants to ensure results and observations are captured for all objectives during each phase of testing. The TIMS incorporates a complete Operational Test Director's (OTD) reference library; full production capability for test plans, test data cards and test reports; resources and schedules and a repository for all OTD guides and reference information. The TIMS also provides, depending on the connection type, reliability, maintainability and availability (RMA) calculations, and scoring of Maintenance Action Forms. The VX-9 TIMS incorporates uniquely developed interfaces for each tested system to import data directly from various USN infrastructure systems.

The TIMS successfully supported the FA-18 E/F's first two phases of operational test at NAWC-AD Patuxent River , MD and NAWC-WD China Lake , CA , and has been used for all FA-18 sub system and follow on testing since it was moved to China Lake in 1999. The TIMS has proven to be such a valuable tool within the operational testing community that it has been expanded to support Operational Testing at VX-1, Patuxent River and VMX-22, New River , NC., and the CV-22 for the U.S. Air Force.

VX-9 major system test support now includes: FA-18 C-F, EA-6B, EA-18G, AV-8B, AH-1Z, and UH-1Y.

VX-9 software tests include: SCS-H4E, and 20X for the FA-18, ICAP-III Blk 2, ICAP-II Blk3 for the EA-6B, and SCS H4.0/H5.0 for the AV-8B.

Other system tests include, but are not limited to: AESA Radar, IDECM, JMPS (Joint Mission Planning System), JSOW-C, SLAM-ER, Joint Helmet (JHMCS), AIM-9X, LBT, MIDS, and AARGM.

H-T has two on-site systems administrators at VX-9 who receives direct technical support from the Hampton , VA , office.