Depot technicians begin using automatic test station

  • Published
  • By Amanda Creel
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  The Versatile Depot Automatic Test Station, or VDATS, was put to the test here July 9 as it examined its first production asset as an Air Force and Department of Defense Family of Testers member.

Operators used VDATS to test a decoder assembly from the Pave Penny pod, which is a targeting device used in the A-10 Thunderbolt II. This item previously had been tested using the Computer-Operated Multifunction Electronics Test System, or COMETS. This 1968-vintage tester has become increasingly difficult to maintain and keep operational.

Air Force technicians developed VDATS to support multiple weapon systems. This tester is designed to eventually replace most of the legacy testers currently in use by the Air Force depots.

According to Michael Hunt, lead test station operator, the addition of the VDATS to the test station will relieve some of the workload off the COMETS. Mr. Hunt said he hoped the VDATS would lead to fewer mechanical malfunctions.

Mr. Hunt said his favorite part about the addition of VDATS to his test station was "the ease of operation."

"There is so much involved with COMETS," he said. "It's just point and click with VDATS."

John Dunn, deputy director of avionics and instrument flight, described the unveiling of the first VDATS in the production arena as a great start toward retiring COMETS.

Mr. Dunn said the biggest blessing for the team would be the availability of other VDATS testers if there was a mechanical malfunction. When the COMETS breaks down, it can mean their line has to shutdown.

He said another plus to the new tester would be the reliability factor.

"We will have faith in this one," Mr. Dunn said. "With COMETS, we had to double-check everything."

"I think the most important thing to remember is the tester is not only going to be important to the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, but it is going to be used Air Force-wide and it will affect everyone in the Air Force world-wide," said Bob Pennington, VDATS 402nd Software Maintenance Group lead engineer.

According to Dempsey Ventress, VDATS depot program manager, the ultimate goal is to get all the legacy testers out of service and have one uniform tester for the depot.

Officials say they expect about 20 test programs to be in production by the end of fiscal 2008.

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