Solid State Switching Miniaturizes Complex Avionics Chassis Testing to Solve Intermittent Faults and the Occurrence of Re-Test Okay Events

The influence and integration of cutting-edge technology on our country's existing weapons system is tremendous. However, with these advancements come extraordinary challenges with how personnel are to test, troubleshoot, and conduct preventative and unscheduled maintenance. This paper describes the development and implementation of a solid-state switching application that addresses this specific maintenance gap. The Automatic Wire Test Set (AWTS), is DoD approved support equipment. It is available for maintaining sophisticated, complex, and high-cost Weapons Replaceable Units and Line Replaceable Units. The AWTS System provides test results on failures experienced at each level of maintenance, to include intermittent operation, Cannot Duplicate and Re-Test Okay. Additionally, AWTS demonstrates the capability to solve Beyond Capable Maintenance (BCM) and so-called Bad Actor Unit issues. This solid state multiplex switching is cost effective, has a small footprint, and provides accurate and rapid results. We describe trade-offs of five test interface concepts studied in the development phase. We also present projected and actual results achieved in Marine I-level shops, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, and Fleet Readiness Center South West.