Handheld Radar Simulator: The future of RF testing

Due to budgetary and economic constraints, the Department of Defense (DOD) has taken the ldquoneck downrdquo approach to all areas of military procurement. Commonality has been the buzzword across all services from major aircraft and weapon systems down to the Support Equipment (SE) used to maintain those systems. In the aircraft world, the Joint Service Electronic Combat System Test Set (JSECST) has proliferated across the world replacing many older systems. In the weapons world, the common munitions BIT reprogramming equipment (CMBRE) has performed a similar function. Despite all these efforts, one area that has not been addressed is the need for a common portable radio frequency (RF) tester that would eliminate many redundant systems out in the field. However, that was only the first part; there was also a need for the RF portable tester to be able to perform in high electromagnetic interference (EMI) environments, which was considered a significant technical challenge. The unit also had to be reprogrammable to provide ldquothreat of the dayrdquo testing scenarios. The maintainer in the field has never before been required to perform this ldquothreat of the dayrdquo type of testing. This paper offers insight into the challenges of successful Navy and Marine Corp RF testing of aircraft in the high EMI environment of an aircraft carrier. The handheld radar simulator (HRS) addresses those needs. This paper discusses the management and technical challenges in developing a common test solution that HRS offers as a standardized RF portable tester. Although currently under development and subject to change, the design and concept of operations has already been firmly established. This papers intent is to enlighten the test community of this new and exciting program that will shape the future direction of RF testing for years to come.