Today’s armament maintainers are tasked with performing flightline (O-Level) maintenance with an assortment of legacy test sets that greatly limit the ability to quickly and efficiently verify armament system readiness, diagnose failures, and ultimately return the aircraft to full mission capable (FMC) status. Legacy test sets are typically utilized on only a single aircraft, or perform a single function supporting multiple aircraft, resulting in increased training and logistics challenges, and longer than necessary test and repair times. This not only impacts armament maintainer effectiveness, but limits the realization of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and the development of Mission-Ready Airmen.
The widely deployed and combat proven MTS-3060A SmartCan™ Universal Armament Test Set addresses these issues and more. It has quickly become the warfighters armament test set of choice by eliminating the burden of multiple, aircraft-specific flightline test sets. A typical SmartCan kit, with all cables and adaptors in a single carry case, can replace the flightline test capabilities of over a dozen test sets across USAF fighters and UASs. It can also support a broader implementation to include other platforms including surface-to-air defensive systems.
Unlike legacy handheld test sets that are limited to stray voltage and continuity tests, the SmartCan implements functional/active MIL-STD-1760 for Smart weapons test and evaluation. Coupled with munitions communication channels supporting all existing weapons protocols, it provides a full system test for all legacy and Smart weapons. The SmartCan performs both pre-load and functional checkouts, testing of multiple squib signals, and implements a unique cross-fire algorithm superior to all other O-Level armament test sets in service today.
The SmartCan’s capabilities also extend beyond aircraft armament systems to encompass other platforms, such as surface-to-air missile defense systems including the widely deployed Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). It supports comprehensive rail testing and fault isolation across all NASAMS rail configurations, including the LAU-129N, Common Ground Rail (CGR), and Legacy Rails. A unique test approach enables I-Level (Backshop) test in the field while fully disconnected from the launcher, activating and verifying all critical electro-mechanical assemblies to ensure full rail operation and preventing critical faults, for a more complete and comprehensive rail checkout.
Designed and qualified for extreme environmental conditions, the rugged design, ergonomic layout and small footprint enables field operation anywhere in the world, making it the ultimate tool for flightline armament test. Battery operation further enhances field usability; any AA batteries and an innovative power management system enable over 40 hours of test time without the need to replace the batteries.
Test setup and execution times are also significantly improved. F-16 setup times are reduced by 91%. Similarly, test execution times for a pylon utilizing MIL-STD-1760 and a LAU-129, tested for both AIM-120 and AIM-9X, also displayed substantial test time reductions of 85%, and an 89% respectively. Test results and measurement variances are displayed in real time, and include all parametric data which can be transferred via the removable SD card for printing or predictive maintenance analysis.
Deployed on 15 platforms in 22 countries, the SmartCan has also been endorsed by Lockheed Martin and the USAF F-16 System Program Office with SERD #75A77 and granted cybersecurity authority to operate (ATO). Test Program Set (TPS) development is streamlined and available to the warfighter utilizing the integrated development environment SmartCanEasy™.
Advanced cybersecurity features and protections further differentiate the SmartCan, making this the most cyber-secure O-Level armament test set available. Data encryption, a custom operating system, NIST Certified software for Test Program Set (TPS) development, and a removable secure data (SD) card all contribute to the enhanced cybersecurity performance available on this test set. When the SD card is removed, no sensitive data remains on the unit, meeting stringent DOD information assurance standards.
SmartCan is the most advanced O-Level armament test set available, capable of testing all Alternate Mission Equipment (AME) and Aircraft Armament Equipment (AAE) including pylons, launchers, bomb racks, guns, and pods. It delivers the quickest setup and execution times, reduced training needs, a small logistics footprint, enhanced cybersecurity, and superior active armament test capabilities that maximize warfighter readiness and combat effectiveness.
