Flightline Avionics Test Set For A-10/C Thunderbolt ll Based On Marvin Test Solutions' MTS-207 PXI Platform

The United States Air Force (USAF) recently awarded a $5.7 million contract to Marvin Test Solutions to provide the customized test platform for the PATS-70 flightline test set for the modernized A-10/C Thunderbolt ll. Marvin Test Solutions was selected based on the company's expertise with flightline test solutions, and production deliveries have already begun.

The MTS-207 ultra-rugged flightline test set is a PXI-based, portable solution that Marvin Test Solutions customized in response to the requirements defined by test officials from Hill Air Force Base (AFB). It forms the basis for the new Portable Armament Test Set-70 (PATS-70) test solution for the A-10/C. A key feature of the PATS-70 flightline test solution is its ability to fully evaluate the warfighter's upgraded digital avionics and precision weapon electronics.

"By using our mil-spec compliant commercial off the shelf, ultra-rugged chassis that is the workhorse for many of our turnkey systems and is globally deployed with over 15 nations' militaries, we were able to partner with the USAF, allowing their test engineers to rapidly develop and qualify the system for support of the A-10/C avionics and electronics. We were able to significantly reduce the fielding time of this mission-critical test set to the A-10/C community," said Major General Steve Sargeant, USAF (Ret.), and CEO of Marvin Test Solutions. "The new PATS-70 is a high-performance flightline test set in a portable, ultra-rugged deployable chassis, and allows the A-10/C maintenance community to fully test the critical systems of the A-10/C while minimizing logistics and simplifying operation."

In 2008, the A-10/A aircraft received upgraded digital avionics and was modified to be smart weapons capable, resulting in the A-10/C. The legacy PATS-30 test equipment was not updated along with the aircraft due to obsolescence. In search of an updated test solution that would provide seamless, efficient and accurate test for the new A-10/C, the USAF relied on Marvin Test Solutions'  domain expertise with flightline test. Today, the PATS-70 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-15, F-16, F-18, TA-50, FA-50, F-5, Hawk, and UASs.

(A-10 Thunderbolt pictured in file photo)

FMI: http://marvintest.com