The William J. Hughes Technical Center (WJHTC) Air Traffic Systems Test and Evaluation (T&E) Services Division (ANG-E5) provides quality T&E, Human Factors, and Verification and Validation (V&V) services and products for National Airspace System (NAS) automation, surveillance, mission support, and enterprise systems and capabilities. The division’s work is rooted in the Technical Center’s core mission of testing and evaluating NAS systems and operational capabilities. Using best practices and quality standards T&E and Human Factors activities are conducted using the robust laboratory environment at the WJHTC to ensure that systems and new capabilities are suitable and effective for use in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations.

Division Work

The Air Traffic Systems T&E Services Division performs system test, analysis, user-centered design, usability testing, and evaluation of NAS systems and services to verify and validate that products and operational improvements (capabilities) meet specifications, satisfy requirements, and are operationally suitable and effective for use in the NAS. T&E activities span all FAA acquisition life cycle phases but are primarily concentrated in the Solution Implementation (SI) and In-Service Management (ISM) phases for programs within the Surveillance, Air Traffic Management (ATM), and Mission Support areas. Using advanced methods and technologies to collect and analyze human performance data, the division provides timely, evidence-based human factors recommendations on prospective technology, procedures, training, policies, and guidance. A focus on V&V best practices and the use of an independent and objective quality assurance team ensures that quality is built into the system, service, or capability throughout the life cycle; and assures the delivery of quality products that satisfy stakeholder and mission needs.

Test planning, execution, and reporting of products and services adhere to test standards and processes as defined in the FAA Acquisition System Toolset (FAST) and the T&E Handbook. The division is certified to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 quality assurance standard for test preparation, planning, conduct, and reporting.

Branches

Verification & Validation Strategies and Concept Visualization Branch

The branch's work focuses on four primary areas: Test Standards Board (TSB), Centralized V&V Support, Animated Storyboarding, and Quality Management.

TSB: Serves as the primary quality oversight entity for Test and Evaluation (T&E) products and services. Provides independent quality T&E oversight, assessment, and Subject Matter Expert (SME) guidance with a focus on:

• Consistent quality T&E products
• Sound technical T&E strategies and methods
• Defined and documented risks relating to the quality of test services and the program
• Documented and institutionalized best practice T&E processes

Centralized V&V Support: Establishes and maintains common V&V practices and standards across the Acquisition Management System (AMS) life cycle. Collaborates with FAA stakeholders to improve FAA acquisition planning and requirements and provides knowledge-based decision-making via structured quality oversight of relevant acquisition work products.

Animated Storyboarding: Provides structured development of NAS storyboards depicting events, data, processes, and functional flow animations. These storyboarding tools and methods provide V&V support to understand and validate business functions, concepts, requirements, capabilities, architectures, and system integration. For more information, visit the NAS Animated Storyboard website.

Quality Management: Maintains the divisions’ International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-certified Quality Management System (QMS).

Human-Systems Integration Branch

The Human-Systems Integration Branch is responsible for a broad portfolio of Human Factors (HF) research, user-centered design activities, and usability testing. The branch’s mission is to ensure that all aspects of the NAS incorporate knowledge of human abilities and limitations and provide the highest possible levels of safety and effectiveness. The branch focuses on the design of technology for the Air Traffic Control (ATC), traffic flow management, and technical operations domains, including advanced automation, communication, and decision-support tools; uses advanced methods and technologies to collect and analyze human performance data, especially in the areas of visual scanning, situation awareness, mental workload, and voice communications; conducts high-fidelity human-in-the-loop simulations in the air traffic control and cockpit domains using the Technical Center’s world-class simulation laboratories; develops, designs, and tests human-machine interfaces through rigorous user-centered design processes that engage Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from the user communities; and maintains, revises, and validates FAA HF standards to ensure that they reflect the latest findings and best practices of the HF discipline. The goal of all this work is to provide evidence-based, timely, and actionable HF recommendations about potential aviation technology, procedures, training, guidance, and policies.

Surveillance Branch

The Surveillance Branch provides T&E and specialized engineering services for Air Traffic Control surveillance systems throughout their life cycle. The branch performs research, development, testing, and operational integration of surveillance systems with air traffic automation platforms, which are integral to ensuring safe separation of aircraft within the NAS. The branch also develops accredited hardware and software test tools in support of its mission. The branch collaborates with the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and law enforcement agencies and organizations to determine and mitigate the effects of cyberattacks against the NAS surveillance system.

Enterprise Capability Testing Branch

The Enterprise Capability Testing Branch leads enterprise operational integration testing for future NAS capabilities. The branch also supports Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) for Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) and emerging operations.

Automation and Agency Support Branch

The Automation and Agency Support Branch provides high-quality T&E services and products that meet or exceed customer requirements spanning the full AMS life cycle. The branch plans and conducts T&E and V&V services to support several FAA acquisition programs. The branch consists of two sections: the Mission Support Section, responsible for the planning and conduct of T&E and V&V services to support FAA mission support acquisition programs, and the Air Traffic Management (ATM) Section that serves as an integral part of the acquisition team in providing T&E support for several FAA decision support systems that integrate multiple technologies, optimize traffic flow across the NAS, and enable data sharing between air traffic controllers, traffic managers, and other stakeholders.