The power, positioned on the firm’s Greenville, Texas aerospace heart, is likely one of the solely privately-operated airborne mission system check ranges in the USA.
It’s staffed by skilled aerospace engineers who present testing and validation of advanced mission programs, together with indicators, communications and digital intelligence; radar warning receiver and digital countermeasures testing and radar risk simulation from a number of emitters proprietary to L3Harris.
‘Our MSTF is exclusive inside our trade. Whereas related check ranges exist throughout the U.S., nearly all of these services are government-owned, corresponding to Pax River, China Lake, Edwards Air Power Base and Yuma Proving Floor,’ mentioned GT Parsons, Sr. Supervisor, Integration and Take a look at Engineering, L3Harris. ‘We personal and function the entire MSTF gear on the facility, which reduces schedule danger, permits us to speed up our supply schedules, and brings numerous stability into our prospects’ acquisition and modification efforts.’
Proper and On-Time
The advantages of a privately-operated check facility are so vital that trade friends additionally continuously contract L3Harris’ MSTF to attain their testing and certification necessities.
Lacking a scheduled check window at a authorities facility may doubtlessly lead to months of delays. L3Harris manages its testing schedule and may function across the clock, three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months as wanted. This flexibility allows L3Harris to help our prospects and the broader trade to attain their essential mission priorities.
The corporate presents versatile, low-cost options for business, navy and authorities packages searching for HF to 40 GHz radiated sign sources for flight testing. It gives entry to greater than 600 check frequencies accepted by the Federal Communications Fee and the Nationwide Telecommunications and Data Administration, which is far higher than the trade common. The power additionally employs its personal frequency supervisor for managing all frequency authorizations for our prospects.
‘The extra frequencies we have now in a band, the higher calibration might be,’ Parsons defined.
L3Harris gives GPS time-synchronized waveform timing as a monitoring or sign supply, a characteristic not out there at most services. This functionality has lowered flight time by 75 % for some prospects.
Radar risk simulation is just not distinctive to L3Harris, however the firm gives it persistently and at a fee decrease or similar to different testing services. The MSTF presents floor, naval and airborne radar simulation with roughly 100 radars in our present library with a number of modes. These are programmable for consumer customization and supply as much as 17 simultaneous indicators.
Our communications intelligence (COMINT) emitter programs present sign density distinctive to L3Harris. The traits embrace transmission of eight simultaneous frequencies with greater than 300 frequency steps out there, together with GPS time synchronization.
Additionally distinctive to our Greenville facility is our Thor emitter, which is the one system that gives calibrated and recorded efficient radiated energy (ERP).
Since 2010, L3Harris has offered distinctive cell COMINT capabilities from a company-owned and built-in leisure car (RV) with straightforward set-up and calibration that may journey to and function at wherever within the U.S. with accepted frequency authorization. The RV calibrates all the things within the vary of 30 MHz to eight GHz. Prospects save money and time by not having to fly belongings to Texas.
Antenna testing can be a big a part of what we do. Indoor antenna testing happens in our anechoic chamber with the power to check frequencies as little as 20 MHz.
The MSTF homes three temperature chambers during which antennas are frozen or heated to simulate altitude and flight circumstances.
L3Harris additionally presents full, radiated check on the flight line previous to takeoff utilizing the identical sign sources as in flight. This functionality ensures a system is working previous to takeoff.
‘Our location on the airfield is a big-time saver,’ Parsons mentioned. ‘At every other vary you must takeoff and fly to check your system. Right here, we are able to check on the bottom so many plane points are recognized earlier than takeoff.’
The MSTF structure minimizes journey and transport necessities, improves operational effectivity and gives designated area for growth work. The power additionally presents versatile store area for fast execution of impromptu check gear modifications and growth.
Services Outfitted for Success
The safe L3Harris facility gives FAA-certified air site visitors management and fireplace/crash departments, together with Division of Protection-certified safety. For instance, sure plane packages onsite require 24/7 limited-access safety. This licensed staffing routinely advantages any future navy or authorities program prospects.
Testing our safe communication programs is very vital for a number of of our prospects to confirm safe voice, information and fax. This consists of lengthy distance help to off-site customers, a number of particular cell radios and cell and distant website communications networks.
Moreover, the ability has greater than 12,000 sq. miles of FAA-coordinated airspace out there for flight testing. The ten,000-foot runway, not too long ago prolonged from 8,000 ft, permits testers to hold extra gasoline on their plane for prolonged flight time. The runway accommodates virtually any kind of plane or jet.
With 50-plus years of confirmed expertise, L3Harris’ flight check vary and MSTF gives versatile, inexpensive and customized options for our prospects.
Contact:
Paul Swiergosz
Tel: 321-724-3434
E-mail: Paul.Swiergosz@L3Harris.com
