Aircraft and Missile Systems Laboratory (AMSL)

The AMSL is a secure, multi-purpose, systems analysis facility operated by the Aviation Systems Engineering and Electronic Warfare Systems Groups. The AMSL provides an environment to conduct systems engineering, architecting, and analysis to support development and operational employment of joint service aircraft and weapons, with emphasis on interconnectivity, interoperability, and total system effectiveness. Additionally, this same environment enables engineers and analysts to access and optimize electronic attack operations and tactics to assure the survivability of aircraft and weapons systems by developing advanced technology concepts for air defense suppression.

The MPDL is a computer processing facility that is operated by the Weapon and Targeting Systems Group. MPDL performs a variety of tasks associated primarily with development and validation of image data products used for cruise missile mission planning. Historically, these tasks have focused on making improvements to Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator (DSMAC) navigation. More recently, the emphasis has been on targeting data improvements and developing the technology behind precision terrain-aided navigation (PTAN). The laboratory has also been used for dynamic missile simulations.

Controls Systems Integration Facility (CSIF)

The Control Systems Integration Group operates the CSIF. The CSIF provides an environment for the development of new concepts that will enhance the collective responsiveness of power projection systems. The facility offers an extensive set of resources that include computers, network communications, and display devices. These resources can be used to model advanced concepts and planned improvements for combat system elements, to develop distributed simulations for exercising those elements, and to design advanced human-computer interfaces. The CSIF provides spaces for assembling equipment into operationally representative demonstrations that are augmented by group view displays and briefing areas for conveying key points to an audience. Network connectivity to other APL facilities and external organizations allows collaborative ventures. The current CSIF configuration houses discrete capabilities including SIPRNET and GCCS-M connectivity.

DD(X) Modeling and Simulation Laboratory

Also operated by the Control Systems Integration Group, the DD(X) Modeling and Simulation Laboratory houses APL's suite of systems to measure mission effectiveness of various proposed DD(X) subsystems. At its core, the facility hosts a central meeting and computer/display integrated development environment, enabling collaborative access between APL and other DD(X) development participants. As this laboratory evolves, APL will progressively host design agent and independently developed system and subsystem models to perform detailed mission effectiveness assessments of the proposed DD(X) design.

Architecture Tools Laboratory

The Control Systems Integration Group also operates this facility, which houses an array of systems engineering and software engineering architecture tools to cover all aspects of the system life cycle, from requirements definition and tracking through traceability to test cases. In addition, detailed system architecture representation and visualization tools, using Object Oriented Analysis and Design concepts, are available for support of various design assessment tasks.

Warfare Analysis Laboratory (WAL)

Operated by APL's National Security Analysis Department, the WAL provides an environment in which warfare issues can be understood, system requirements defined, new concepts explored, and solutions evaluated. This facility is available for use by Precision Engagement programs. [more]