APT logo

Test Planning

APT brings extensive test range experience to the planning and conduct of missile flight testing. APT personnel have planned and conducted tests at all U.S. national ranges, especially Reagan Test Site (RTS) and White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), as well as several international ranges. At APT, missile flight tests are planned by combining knowledge of test requirements (which are documented through our systems analysis work) with constraints imposed by instrumentation and range safety. This planning approach ensures optimum testing.

APT capabilities in the area of flight test planning include Test Requirements Traceability, Test Program Feasibility, Trajectory/Scenario Development, and National Range Universal Documentation System (UDS) Document Development. Areas of range support are Preliminary Hazard Analysis/Risk Assessment, Collision Avoidance and Satellite Risk Assessment, Debris Catalog Development, Test Planning Documentation, Universal Documentation System, Instrumentation Planning, Data Collection, Safety Tracking, Safety Office Interface/Approvals, and Waiver Development/Coordination.

Flight Test

Accomplishments

  • Flowdown of GMD Flight Test Objectives through performance requirements to flight objectives
  • Traceability assessment of early GMD Flight Test Requirements to Tactical Requirements
  • Development of performance requirements documents and test documents
  • Cooperative development of 3-stage GBI trajectory from Meck Island
  • Feasibility evaluation of critical measurements counter measurements flight test scenarios
  • Planning and execution of MDA Ballistic Missile Defense System experiments and flight tests
  • Assessed risk of candidate scenarios from:
    • Flight Termination
    • Payload Malfunction
    • Successful Intercept
    • Collisions with Space Assets
    • Orbital Debris

Range Users Supported

  • Ground-Based Midcourse Defense
  • Space and Missile Defense Command
  • THAAD
  • Missile Defense Agency
  • Arrow Interceptor
  • MLRS
  • Hera Target System
  • Anti-Satellite Systems
  • Spaceport Canada

Download the Test Planning Brochure.

Point of Contact

Tom Webber 256.327.3405
twebber@apt-research.com

Mr. Webber currently serves as APT Division Manager for Flight Test Planning and Range Safety. Mr. Webber has over 20 years experience in the design, development, and test and evaluation of missiles and missile systems. He served as the Director of the USAKA/RTS Command Safety Directorate located at Kwajalein Atoll were he was the National Range Commander's top range safety technical expert, consultant, and principal advisor on range safety issues. Mr. Webber's experience includes an assignment as Test Director at the National Hover Test Facility, Edwards AFB CA. He holds a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from California State University and an MBA from Florida Institute of Technology.