Test Connections - August 2022

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MTS-3060A SmartCan™ Universal O-Level Armament Test Set Enables ACE


Agile Combat Employment (ACE) is a USAF operational concept that enhances warfighter effectiveness through the use of streamlined, resilient logistics footprint to support forward deployments of multiple types of aircraft in a contested environment.  ACE demands multi-capable Airmen and easy to use,  multi-platform capable test support equipment as there will be fewer Airmen to perform tasks across a number of systems supporting aircraft without the traditional support found at a main operating base. ACE supports faster response to threats, reduced vulnerability to attack, and the ability to operate from austere locations for extended periods of time.

Marvin Test Solutions’ MTS-3060A SmartCan™ Universal O-Level Armament Test Set enables ACE, providing comprehensive flightline armament test capability in a compact, handheld test set that is easy to deploy, use, and maintain. The SmartCan is the most advanced, cybersecure flightline armament test set available delivering significant reductions in test time, training hours, and logistics footprint, while replacing multiple legacy test sets and improving test performance and reliability.  For example, multiple aircraft – manned and unmanned, rotary and fixed wing – that are equipped with armament can be loaded into a single SmartCan, eliminating the traditional deployment of a multitude of aircraft-specific armament test sets on the flightline.

SmartCan
Faster Setup and Test Times
Flightline setup and test times are significantly reduced.  F-16 test setup, when compared to the current legacy test set, was reduced from 45 minutes to 4 minutes (91% reduction).  Similarly, F-16 test execution times for a pylon utilizing MIL-STD-1760 and a LAU-129 being tested for both AIM-120 and AIM-9X were reduced from 20 minutes to 3 minutes (85% reduction), and from 35 minutes to 4 minutes (89% reduction) respectively. F-15 testing demonstrated similar savings.  Advanced cybersecurity features and protection are provided including data and test program set (TPS) encryption and a removable hard drive in the form of a SD card.

SmartCan Test Times

SmartCan Setup and Test Times


Reduced Logistics Footprint
The AA battery-operated MTS-3060A weighs roughly just 4lbs, yet provides more than 30 measurement and multiple e-load channels, generates audio and video signals required to simulate missile functions for the AIM-9 and AGM-65 missiles.  In addition, it supports active, full-functional testing of  MIL-STD-1760 by emulating JDAM, AMRAAM, AIM-9X, and other 1760-based weapon systems.

SmartCan Kit

Handheld SmartCan and SmartCan Kit


Interoperability
The SmartCan is capable of supporting all armament, supporting legacy and Smart weapons on all current and future fighters, bombers, attack helicopters, and UAS platforms.

Importantly, the SmartCan program load can include support for multiple blocks and multiple types of aircraft, providing a single flightline test solution for any size fleet, increasing standardization, and reducing the test equipment footprint.  The SmartCan enables the USAF to achieve ACE objectives by serving as a common flightline armament test set for all deployed weapon carrying aircraft.  The intuitive features of the SmartCan ensure airmen can quickly become experts in its use in minimum time.  

A Smarter Approach to Maintenance and Sustainment
The SmartCan features an innovative test language that further reduces development and integration costs, allowing users to develop, create and integrate their own test programs. With this capability under the users’ control, the USAF (or other Services) can choose to have the task of maintaining and creating test set programs at the program-office level without the need for contractor support.

Additionally, data collection, storage, and download capability enables trend analysis and supports emerging predictive maintenance analytics initiatives.

Test Set Commonality Enables Efficiency
Maintainers understand the shortcomings of currently fielded legacy armament test equipment and have expressed the need for a common solution that supports both legacy and Smart (MIL-STD-1760) weapons.  They have expressed the desire to have a small footprint, handheld armament test set that functions across multiple types of armed aircraft, meets cybersecurity requirements, supports predictive maintenance analytics, and provides easy to use menu driven operation in all operating environments.

The SmartCan delivers those capabilities, enabling ACE and ensuring mission readiness for the warfighter across multiple AORs.

Resources to Explore
The SmartCan is part of Marvin Test Solutions’ comprehensive suite of armament and munitions test sets. Visit our website to learn more about why the SmartCan is the current choice of multiple air forces and supporting their fleets worldwide.  Additionally, you will find links to our armament maintainer Blog.  

Finally, while there you can explore our KnowledgeBase for informative white papers and articles on the subject of armament test, including: