Next Generation Automatic Test System (NGATS) Update

Abstract

The next generation automatic test system (NGATS) is the latest addition to the Integrated family of test equipment (IFTE) developed and managed by product manager, test, measurement and diagnostic equipment (PM TMDE). This is Version 6 of what is commonly known as the Base Shop Test Facility series of systems developed by the off platform, automatic test system program. NGATS is a reconfigurable, general-purpose, mobile, deployable, automatic test system designed to provide sustainment support to all Army weapon systems. This flexible testing platform will finally standardize and reduce the quantity of the Army's ATE systems to one modern tester and improve weapon system availability. It will allow for a decrease in logistical support requirements for ATE systems and the supported weapons systems and increase the mobility, deployability, affordability and supportability, of automated test equipment. NGATS assures compliance with Joint NxTest architecture and will support the agile rapid global combat support (ARGCS) advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) by using a common framework for DOD automatic test systems (ATS). Incremental deployment of this system will ultimately modernize and replace three existing test platforms, DSESTS, BSTF (V) 3, and BSTF (V) 5. NGATS will not only support the weapons systems currently fielded but will also support additional weapons systems as they are developed and fielded in the future. The NGATS will initially take advantage of the existing Test Program Sets for legacy weapons systems however new systems and those legacy systems that will remain in the Army inventory will have TPSs designed to take full advantage of the modern NGATS technology. Increment 1 replaces DSESTS and supports the weapons systems in the heavy brigade combat team (HBCT). The TPSs for Abrams, Bradley and other systems will be rehosted to NGATS with significant improvements. Increment 2 replaces BSTF (V) 3 and supports the MLRS, Avenger, Paladin, TOW, SINCGARS, Kiowa Warrior, Ground Based Sensor, G/VLLD, and M1A1 (SRUs) systems. Increment 3 replaces BSTF (V) 5 and supports the Kiowa Warrior and Apache. There has been increased interest in utilizing the IFTE NGATS as an Army organic sustainment support platform. Other systems that are candidates for support are KNIGHT, LLDR, STRYKER, FCS, Firefinder, LOSAT, NLOS, HIMARS, Land Warrior, SHORADS, TAD, and CROWS.