Automatic Test Systems: Unique vs. Common-Core Management

Abstract

Historically, individual system program offices developed and replaced unique automatic test systems (ATS) to support single weapon systems. However, significant increases in deployment footprints, parts obsolescence, and greater sustainment challenges led to a change in acquisition policy that favored common-core ATS that support multiple weapon systems. To date, the common-core ATS initiative has garnered little support due to a lack of substantive data supporting the expected benefits in a practical setting. Our research used a case-study approach to compare two common-core ATS programs to two weapon system-unique ATS programs. It was discovered that a lack of funding is the most critical obstacle to common-core ATS program success.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA487699

Entities

People

  • Alan W. Johnson
  • Jeremy Howe
  • John Bell
  • William Ford

Organizations

  • Aeronautical Systems Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Automatic
  • Department Of Defense
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Logistics
  • Logistics Management
  • Maintenance
  • Military Acquisition
  • Program Management
  • Supply Chain
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Systems Engineering
  • Systems Management
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Equipment

Readers

  • Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Educational Psychology