Towards a verification and validation test framework for open system architectures

Today's military platforms are equipped with variety of sensors and effectors. However, these components are rarely interconnected or are only linked via manufacturer-specific, proprietary interfaces. This hinders changes to and extensions of platform components. Often platform modifications are only possible with the help of the original integrator, which complicates a seamless integration of new components. In order to unify the interfaces of sub-systems and enhance platform interoperability, several open architecture initiatives have been launched on national and multi-national levels. Some as the NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture (NGVA) have already recognised that new approaches for system verification and acceptance need to be considered. Nevertheless, these considerations are still on the conceptual level and no tools for rigorous interface conformity testing are yet in place. This paper describes a concept supporting the testing of interface specifications in early standardisation phases as well as the verification of platform architecture implementations in actual systems later on. On the example of the NGVA, a test framework is presented focussing on the reuse of test artefacts from early specification checking for later conformance and final acceptance testing. The approach is validated by means of a case study supporting the NGVA standardisation.