Synthetic instrumentation on the flightline today

Confirming mission readiness is the most critical function flightline testers perform. Emulating test instrumentation using synthetic instrumentation (SI) specifically addresses the problems and limitations associated with hardware intensive test systems. The joint services electronic combat system tester (JSECST) is one of the first test systems to be fielded that uses SI. This paper describes JSECST's use of SI; how SI has enabled JSECST to make measurements that are impractical - if not impossible - using conventional instrumentation; and how this SI implementation received praise in a GAO report that states "The tester performed very effectively in testing - so well, that it revealed numerous previously undisclosed faults in electronic combat systems on Air Force F-15C and Navy F/A-18C aircraft.".