A gas turbine system has a gas turbine engine, control unit, a data acquisition system including a thermodynamic model unit and a test sequence unit, sensor device coupled to the engine for measuring performance parameter of the engine, and comparative unit. The thermodynamic model unit generates computed performance parameter based on mechanical and thermodynamic models of the engine. The test sequence unit generates test sequence data including set point operating data and time schedule data with which a test cycle of the engine is runnable. The data acquisition system generates test control data based on the test sequence data, and is coupled to the control unit for providing test control data thereto to control the engine. The comparative unit is coupled to the data acquisition system such that the measured performance parameter measured by the sensor device is comparable with the computed performance parameter.