The royal navy's commitment to automatic test equipment

This paper reviews the Royal Navy's commitment to Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) in support of all phases of its weapon system deployment plan. The Royal Navy's commitment to the use of Auto matic Test Equipment is extensive, from the use of ATEs in its Suppliers' Factories to the use of ATEs in Central Repair Facilities and in Depots. This paper also addresses itself to the relatively unique relationship between the Royal Navy and industry (Marconi Space and Defence Systems Limitecl@ which has evolved over a period of some seven years in the development of complex weapon system ATE expertise in the United Kingdom. The results of this relationship are reviewed, the advantages and disadvantages of such an arrangement are discussed and, finally, the way ahead for the next five to ten years is outlined.