Marvin Test Solutions SmartCan™ Bridges the Armament Test Gap for 4th Generation Aircraft

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Marvin Test Solutions (formerly known as Geotest-Marvin Test Systems) a trusted provider of innovative test solutions for military and commercial aerospace organizations, is bridging the critical test gap that exists in 4^th generation aircraft with its MTS-3060 SmartCan^TM, a universal O-level aircraft armament test set for legacy aircraft employing smart weapons. Today's aircraft, equipped with smart armament and associated aircraft interfaces, demand rapid, on-aircraft troubleshooting, a simplified test process, and a smaller test footprint on the flightline to ensure efficient operation. With the compact test set, Marvin Test Solutions aims to standardize and consolidate armament test equipment across 4^th generation aircraft, including the A-10, F-15, F-16, and F-18.

Realizing the Armament Test Gap
Today, 4^th generation aircraft, from the A-10 to the F-18, are equipped with smart (MIL-STD 1553 and 1760) weapons technology and enhanced legacy weapons. Yet, maintainers are still required to use the same or similar armament circuits preload test sets (ACPTS) combined with big-box test equipment fielded to verify that these sophisticated armament and munitions systems are full mission-capable (FMC). This test approach falls short in delivering the capabilities needed to support today's smart weapons because existing test equipment can't fully or accurately test the armament and aircraft interfaces. The testing shortfall creates an armament test gap.

"Using reliable, MIL-STD 1760-capable test equipment bridges the armament test gap, ensuring higher levels of mission readiness and reduced sustainment costs for the US and other nations who operate the same aircraft," said Major General Steve Sargeant, USAF (Ret.), and CEO of Marvin Test Solutions. "At Marvin Test Solutions, we have spent 25 years dedicated to creating test solutions that result in efficient and precise armament and munitions testing for a wide variety of aircraft – starting on the flightline. The MTS-3060 SmartCan^TM makes it possible for today's aircraft and smart armament interfaces to be thoroughly tested before weapons are loaded."

The MTS SmartCan^TM is the only flightline test set capable of fully emulating smart weapons such as JDAM; and, it allows technicians to test the MIL-STD 1760 bus interface between the armament and aircraft – ultimately overcoming the armament test gap. The hand-held, AA battery-operated SmartCan^TM flightline test set weighs less than three pounds and packs the capability to conduct full pre- and post-load operations as well as possessing pre- and post-flight audio and video channels for troubleshooting legacy systems such as AIM-9 and AGM-65. It can be tailored and expanded to accommodate armament loaded on any A-10, F-15, F-16, or F-18 aircraft, and can assist in the troubleshooting of specific issues with the aircraft. Additionally, Marvin Test Solutions engineers can load specific maintenance fault codes into the SmartCan^TM when requested by customers. The MTS-3060 SmartCan^TM Universal O-level Test Set is successfully qualified and deployed today on TA and FA-50, F-16 Block 15 and Block 50, and F-15C aircraft as well as other legacy aircraft such as the F-5. Marvin Test Solutions also plans to deploy the SmartCan^TM on 5^th generation aircraft.

Building on a History of Expertise
For 25 years, Marvin Test Solutions has provided military- and commercial-off-the-shelf test solutions that are military-ready, offer aerospace-quality performance, and lower the overall cost of maintenance and sustainment. Today's SmartCan^TM solution joins the ranks of other proven Marvin Test Solutions equipment currently deployed or ready to deploy on platforms such as the F-35, F-22, A-10, F-15, F-16, F-18, TA-50, FA-50, F-5, Hawk, and UASs.

For more information, readers can visit marvintest.com.

About Marvin Test Solutions
Marvin Test Solutions, a vertically integrated test company, has delivered innovative, feature-rich test solutions for factory, flightline, intermediate-level, and depot-level applications since 1988. As a member of the Marvin Group, an award-winning aerospace company with a 50-year history in the Defense and Commercial Aerospace industries, Marvin Test Solutions has test equipment deployed in support of most of the major defense aircraft and munitions in use around the world. Marvin Test Solutions quickly delivers full-spectrum, successful test solutions – making test, maintenance, and sustainment of the most mission-critical systems easier and faster.

Media/Customer Contact: Lori Lai, [email protected]

SOURCE Marvin Test Solutions