Automatic Test Equipment Development

Abstract

This program element (PE) provides for development and testing of general-purpose test equipment and of state-of-the-art diagnostics and prognostics technology, software and systems to support the increasingly complex electronic components of the Army's new and upgraded weapon systems. It focuses on implementation of commercial test and diagnostic technologies across multiple weapon platforms to minimize the cost of troubleshooting and maintenance of Army equipment in the field. Modular, reconfigurable automatic and semi-automatic systems are being developed under this program to satisfy weapon system test and diagnostics requirements. The Next Generation Automatic Test System (NGATS) currently under development will provide state-of-the-art test and diagnostic capabilities to support current and future weapon systems. It is the platform for transitioning Agile Rapid Global Combat Support System (ARGCS) technologies into the Army weapon system support structure, and it will replace several aging automatic test systems (ATS) which are becoming prohibitively expensive to operate and maintain. This PE also provides for continued development and improvement of general-purpose test equipment and calibration standards with emphasis on the incorporation of digital electronics and tailoring of configurations to improve deployability, mobility and survivability of the support equipment. Artificial intelligence and anticipatory maintenance applications are being developed to support the integration of self-diagnostic capabilities in Army weapons and support systems. The goal of these efforts is to reduce logistics burdens and improve readiness by minimizing the need for external testers and improving the troubleshooting abilities of soldiers in the field. FY12 Base funding for this program continues development in accordance with Department of Defense and Army policies of the Army standard Next Generation Automatic Test System which will improve deployability and mobility of test and diagnostic equipment and replace aging and obsolete automated equipment currently supporting a number of the Army's vital warfighting systems. It will also develop or significantly modify test equipment to satisfy modular force and homeland security support requirements that cannot be accommodated with test equipment currently available in the commercial marketplace.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2012
Source ID
0604746A_5_2040_PB_2012
Change Summary Explanation
Service Agency Name
Army

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Application Software
  • Combat Support
  • Commercial Equipment
  • Cost Analysis
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diagnostic Equipment
  • Instrumentation
  • Logistics
  • Logistics Support
  • Market Research
  • Measurement
  • Standards
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Equipment
  • Test Facilities
  • Weapon Systems

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems

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