Automatic Test Equipment Development

The Automatic Test Equipment Development program is designed to enhance the Army's ability to develop and test automatic test equipment, precision calibration instruments, and diagnostic technologies. This initiative is essential for supporting the complex electronic components of the Army's new and upgraded weapon systems, especially in joint operations across multi-domain operational areas. The program focuses on standardizing commercial test and diagnostic technologies across various weapon platforms to minimize troubleshooting and maintenance costs. It also aims to modernize test equipment fleets by exploring technology insertions such as predictive maintenance, electronic fault detection, and sensor calibration support capabilities.

Within this program, the Integrated Family of Test Equipment (IFTE), which includes the Maintenance Support Device (MSD) and the Next Generation Automatic Test System (NGATS), has been established as the Army standard for field and sustainment maintenance. The MSD provides at-system automatic test and diagnostic support, while NGATS consolidates off-system requirements. These systems are designed to offer electronic fault isolation, diagnostic, and repair capabilities at all maintenance levels more efficiently than system-specific testers. They aim to reduce costs, logistics footprints, and provide forward-fix capabilities for current and future weapon systems.

The Diagnost/Expert Sys project within this program focuses on enhancing the Maintenance Support Device (MSD) by incorporating current technology to support modernization efforts. This project seeks to retire obsolete test equipment that increases logistics burdens while maintaining compatibility with emerging platform hardware bus technology. It also addresses the need for Intermittent Fault Detection testers to improve unit operational readiness by reducing unnecessary requisitions of line replaceable units.

The Test Equipment Development project supports modernization efforts by developing calibration software and capabilities for various measurement systems. It aims to increase reliability through product improvements that eliminate gaps in existing capabilities. This project emphasizes developing reconfigurable open-electronics architecture and computer-based instrumentation to enhance deployability in complex operational areas. Additionally, it supports Program Executive Office (PEO) and Army Futures Command (AFC) requirements by investigating technology insertions for automated operations and other emerging technologies.