Lessons learned during the successful execution of a legacy Automated Test System (ATS) re-host

To ensure the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System remains fully operational and supportable through 2020, the Air Force realized that the support capability of its legacy automated test system (ATS) for the operational ground support electronics subsystem would need to be completely replaced. Unless replaced with new hardware and upgraded test program sets (TPS's), the needed long-term support could not be provided to the weapon system. During the execution of this re-host effort, here were several valuable lessons learned hat can be applied to similar type programs. Some of the lessons learned include: (1) Utilization of a software development environment "fly-off" during the prototype phase. (2) Application of a "design to build" concept for the interface test adapters. (3) Implementation of "tiger teams" to various phases of the software development lifecycle. (4) Execution of a "beta test" period during the deployment phase of the program This paper provides an overview of the program and discussion of the valuable lessons learned.