C-17 intermediate level automatic test system for avionics maintenance

Significant challenges exist when automatic test systems are developed concurrently with avionics to support initial aircraft deployment. The C-17 Globemaster III Intermediate Level Avionics Maintenance System meets those challenges. The C-17A “support by capability” program requirement is a unique contractual environment for Test Program Set development. Process based management coupled with low risk development strategies provided a path for on-time Test Program Set deployment. The strategy of using government inventory B-1B Automatic Test Equipment contributed to concurrent Test Program Set operations with the very first day of the C-17A aircraft deployment. This industry “first” is not without some valuable lessons learned