Standard missile all up round (AUR) testing on a common munitions standard test equipment platform

Abstract

This paper identifies a method of taking a conceptual Common Munitions Standard Test Equipment Platform (CM STEP) and adding a Standard Missile Operational Test Program Set (OTPS). The Standard Missile AUR test set, designated as the MK 612 Guided Missile Test Set (GMTS) has successfully been deployed domestically and to a variety of foreign allied countries since 1978. Addressing the lessons learned from deploying 25 separate MK 612 systems over 22 years, can reduce the costs for up front design, obsolescence, maintenance, and fault isolation. This method can be accomplished by building Standard Missile test capability around a common munition test architecture. This architecture will be based around a core set of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) instrumentation, controlled by industry standard software that is layered to minimize obsolescence costs. The Standard Missile unique OTPS will consist of measurement, stimulus and Unit Under Test (UUT) switching interface test assembly (ITA) microwave chamber, for target presentation, OTPS test software, fault isolation capability, missile attitude stand to satisfy pitch and roll requirements and other unique hardware driven by Standard Missile test requirements. With the many advances of technology in the instrumentation world, it is anticipated that the core set of COTS instrumentation will meet many of the requirements that are presently satisfied by custom circuitry. This has the benefit of reducing the size and the cost of the OTPS. The advantage of this concept is a low cost solution for Standard Missile AUR testing utilizing the latest industry standards in software and hardware.