The facilitation of integrated product development on the Common Test Station

The Common Test Station (CTS) is a standard family of automated test equipment (ATE) which meets the defense industry's need for a common munitions tester at the all-up-round (AUR) and guidance section levels. Development of the CTS is complicated because the first two CTSs serve both as a development platform and the first production units. This requires that the conceptual design incorporate all contractual requirements across a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines. Integration and test of the first two units must be performed without the usual benefit of knowledge gained from an engineering development program. Integrated Product Development (IPD) is the method utilized by the AMRAAM Joint Services Depot (AJSD) Program to achieve this goal. IPD employs multi-disciplined Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to blend the engineering expertise needed to ensure that all design requirements of the CTS are successfully implemented.