Changing a Radar Operational Flight Program (OFP)

An Operational Flight Program (OFP) is the embedded software that performs the functions and sub-functions necessary for aircraft weapon systems to operate. radar OFPs are a major component of the aircraft weapon system's software. Changes to radar OFPs have significant differences compared to other OFPs in testing requirements, because of the need to tune and observe radar parameters. Tuning and observing radar OFP changes, as well as the normal aircrew interfaces of the radar OFP requires a significant understanding of the radar sub-system, the weapon system, the radar support environment, and the software change (or maintenance) process. This paper will give an overview of the radar OFP change process, and the notable requirements needed to be understood in order to make changes to the software. The paper will discuss, in general, how a radar OFP works, the radar OFP change process, radar OFP testing, radar OFP documentation, and radar OFP training. Where possible, the paper will elaborate on how the radar OFP process is different from the OFP change process.