C-17 automatic test system operations versatile automated test equipment

Automated test equipment (ATE) developed for military avionics is generally too expensive to be used for commercial applications due to the cost of meeting MIL-STD design, development, and documentation. It therefore is not usually integrated into military aircraft production. On the C-17 program, however, ATE is used not only to test avionics line replaceable units (LRUs) at an Air Force base; it is also used to test parts of production line test equipment. The same ATE that is installed and working at Charleston Air Force Base (CAFB) to test and repair C-17 LRUs is being used to test LRUs that fail production line tests at McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach. Further, the components of the wiring integrity tester (WIT), used to verify wiring during aircraft assembly, are tested and repaired using the same ATE. Thus, there is a significant savings as a result of sharing common assets and one-time development cost in addition, lessons learned in one area can be shared to increase efficiency.