CASSIDIAN
THE ABILITY to screen and test complex electronic and optronic equipment is now available in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan The ESS (Equipment Support Solution) facility has been up and running, helping to keep front line equipment available. But a capability gap which was increasing costs is now filled with the arrival in theatre of UK Land's primary electronic and optronic test and screening equipment - GPATE (General Purpose Automatic Test Equipment), DIANA (electronic) and GPTIRF (optronic).
A key factor in increasing platform availability is to ensure that failed sub components are repaired and returned to the user in the shortest time possible.
Currently up to half of electro/optical items returned to the UK for repair are in good working order with no fault found and others with faults that are minor that could be repaired in-theatre.
A simple screening capability that can support equipment triage and prioritise repairs will provide increased platform availability, reduce demand on the air bridge and reduce costs. The latest uplift by Cassidian Test and Services has seen the systems re-housed in new containers that 'can handle extreme temperatures and opened up' to support testing and screening of equipment without the need for complex application test programs. In theatre the systems will be operated by Defence Support Group technicians trained to repair optronic systems and cameras - one of the most urgent requirements identified.
In the longer term, automated screening programmes will be developed. This is a small but important step towards enabling a more standardised approach to delivering a cost efficient and an operationally available fleet.
DS&TE Team Leader said: 'Current operations in Afghanistan have focused thinking on equipment availability. "The need to screen and repair forward complex electro/optical devices is an important element in the sustainment of battle-winning equipment."
Reproduced by kind permission of Desider publication
