Tobyhanna army depot automated test system modernization

During the last four decades the number of Automated Test Systems (ATS) has experienced tremendous growth at Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD). This is characterized in the proliferation through Base Realignment and Closure acquisition and in-house development of a wide variety of general and special purpose ATS - to date there are 94 unique ATS and a total of 230 ATS. With advancing technology and increasingly complex electronic systems, unique ATS has become a problem of maintenance test strategies at the depot; given the high costs of modernizing or replacing ATS and its potential effect on meeting mission success requirements. The aging testers at TYAD are becoming increasingly out of date and more difficult to support. When the testers do not work properly, maintenance can suffer and mission readiness can be adversely affected. This paper will analyze the problem and present a plan for modernization of ATS at TYAD that satisfies Army Regulation, AR750-43, and DOD ATS acquisition policy.