Approaches towards SKAO science operations from the aperture array verification systems

The Aperture Array Verification System, or AAVS, is a series of incremental proof-of-concept Square Kilometre Array (SKA) low-frequency stations. They have been deployed at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, recognizing and acknowledging the Wajarri Yamaji as the Traditional Owners. With three iterations, AAVS has been a means to end-to-end test the proposed antennas and station layout of the SKA-Low telescope. The third iteration is the first to be deployed and operated by the SKA Observatory directly and was implemented as a way to investigate the performance of different antenna layouts within a station (randomized, Vogel and perturbed Vogel). SKAO Science Operations has embraced this opportunity to enable early engagement with the prototype to test and explore aspects of telescope operations, including scheduling and observing, as well as monitoring and processing the subsequent data (together with the System Science and Commissioning teams). In this paper we provide a description of the AAVS3 system, developments on site in Australia, the observations undertaken with AAVS3, and the learning and development for scientific operations that has been enabled by the AAVS system. There is also a forward look more broadly to science operations and verification, including the timeline and upcoming array assembly schedule.