Built-in-test capability evaluation for weapon systems using computer modeling

A project is described involving the development of a computer-aided tool to assist in the evaluation of a proposed BIT (built-in-test) design and other attributes of a weapon system that influence supportability. With this tool timely recommendations could be made for improving the design as well as for providing critical information for planning the logistics support requirements. The first approach was to build a hierarchical simulator that could synthesize a model by linking lower level models of the weapon system components. A second approach has been initiated by building the weapon system model `top down´, starting with a model that was developed for other purposes but has the flexibility to be modified or expanded to encompass testability and supportability attributes. A number of existing modeling systems have been investigated and one has been identified that offers promise in being adaptable to the evaluation of weapon system testability and supportability