Software Testing Initiative for Strategic Defense Systems

Abstract : SDIO is planning to develop and deploy a ballistic missile defense system called Global Protection Against Limited Strikes (GPALS). Testing of GPALS software will play a critical role in ensuring the cost-effective development and reliable execution of the GPALS system. An earlier IDA study examined the states of the art and practice in the field of software testing. The study identified deficiencies in SDI software testing capabilities and recommended that SDIO launch a technical initiative to address these deficiencies. The current study lays the groundwork for this initiative. Emphasis is placed on three areas: (1) improving current and near-team SDI software testing practices by promoting consistent use of effective technology, (2) identifying promising new testing techniques that can add significantly to the reliability, cost-effectiveness, and quality of SDI software, and (3) fostering research into several fundamental problems of testing large-scale, concurrent, distributed, real-time, and fault-tolerant software systems.