Beyond the range: how invariant turns field testing into combat readiness

For Ryan Lowery, Program Manager for the Containerized Weapon System (CWS), field testing is about proving capability where it matters most: outside the lab, under pressure, and alongside the warfighter. From concept to sustainment, Ryan leads one of Invariant’s most battle-tested platforms through rigorous, real-world validation. And in today’s threat environment, that mission is more critical than ever. 

Containerized Weapon System (CWS)

Testing the Way We Fight 

As threats evolve faster than acquisition cycles, Ryan sees field testing not as a final step, but as an operational necessity. “In the lab, we validate performance. In the field, we validate trust,” he says. 

That philosophy is driving current operational assessments for CWS-A, including live events in Africa where Invariant teams are testing APKWS integration and gathering direct feedback from operators. “These aren’t just tests,” Ryan says. “They’re collaborative efforts where engineers, operators, and support teams solve problems together in real time.” 

This results in a proven, deployable system that adapts to complex mission demands and validates performance beyond controlled environments. 

Pressure Reveals the Truth 

While lab tests offer predictability, they can’t replicate the uncertainty of multi-domain operations. “We stress systems in the field to expose gaps,” Ryan says. “We look at everything, power, comms, sensors, training, sustainment.” 

Recent tests have revealed nuances in how APKWS performs under real-world laser designation conditions. “It’s the kind of insight you don’t get until dust, weather, and terrain are part of the equation,” Ryan explains. “And that’s the point. If our systems can’t perform under pressure, they’re not ready for the mission.” 

Preparation is the Advantage 

Invariant’s approach to field testing is mission-driven from the start. Planning, rehearsals, integration, and cross-functional communication are standard, not special. “We don’t show up and hope for the best,” Ryan says. “Every PM, engineer, and field service representative (FSR) knows the objectives, the risks, and the fallback plans.” 

That preparation builds the confidence needed to execute live testing in austere environments, where logistics are tight, timelines are compressed, and mission outcomes depend on reliability. 

When the Unexpected Happens 

No test goes perfectly, and that’s a good thing. “Unexpected results are where the real learning happens,” Ryan says. In one recent event, the team uncovered an unanticipated interaction between a laser designator and a rocket plume. It didn’t show up in the lab, but it mattered in the field. 

Those moments drive rapid iteration. “We don’t just log the issue,” Ryan says. “We fix it, document it, and improve the entire system based on what we’ve learned.” 

Testing as Innovation 

Testing is a driver of innovation. Invariant’s test teams are now replicating joint, layered operations that combine sensors, effectors, and C2 elements under battlefield conditions. That includes validating how CWS-A’s APKWS integration fits into broader architectures while stress-testing training, sustainment, and logistics, all in a single cycle. 

“Modern missions aren’t single-threaded. They’re complex, integrated, and fast-moving,” Ryan says. “So, our test environments have to be the same.” 

Advice to Program Teams 

Ryan’s advice to other teams prepping for operational field tests is simple but battle-proven: 

• Treat it like a mission, not a milestone. Testing should feel like deployment, not development. 

• Communicate early and often. Everyone should know the objective, scope, and risk profile. 

• Plan for surprises. Redundancy and flexibility aren’t luxuries; they’re requirements. 

• Document everything. Field testing is expensive, so maximize the value by capturing every lesson learned.  

  
  

Closing Word 

For Invariant, field testing is where mission-critical performance is proven. “We’re not interested in theoretical success,” Ryan says. “We’re here to make sure our systems work in the places that matter on the battlefield, in the moment, under real pressure.” 

Because that’s what the warfighter deserves. And that’s what Invariant delivers.