DESC testing program is a frontline defense for reliability

A description is given of the Defense Electronics Supply Center's (DESC's) testing program and test results. The primary objective of the program is to verify quality and reliability of replacement parts for the Center's customers. Five general programs have been developed to monitor and verify the key areas of quality relative to DESC procurements. Test results indicate increased quality with sampling. The DESC test facility is increasing the number of federal supply classes now sampled, as well as expanding their basic electronic testing capacity to include more environmental and specialized testing. Although areas such as environmental stress screening (ESS) are being studied, part characterization is identified as a much more urgent need.<>