F-16.net

Newbie Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 10 Status: Offline

First of all, I do not post many times on this site, but frequently check it out and read some, well, "Interesting" things to say the least

Just throwing this out there to see how many folks have heard about the Stores System Tester (SST). We finally get to get rid of those -500 & -501 testers that have plagued the entire weapons community for years. Laughing

The Operational side (O-level) blows me out of the water as far as time/man-hour savings go. The -501 has cost me far too many hours in the past by chasing ghosts and the days of signing out one tester and 3 cable sets just to make 1 good set are over. Cool

You will NEVER out-run the computer, I do not care how fast you are in the cockpit or how well-versed your crew member(s) may be. Shocked

The Intermediate side (I-level/Arm Shop) is a welcome change from the days past as you will never have to wait for the -500 computer to catch up and you do not have all of the different test numbers to look up in that rag they call a T.O. Embarassed

You still have the octopus of cables for the WWP and the LAU-129 LX, that is just the nature of the beast as there are so many different configs that you may need to troubleshoot those pieces of AME. Rolling Eyes

Not trying to get any controversy going here, just seeing what people may heard or seen on this project thus far.

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Newbie Joined: Feb 28, 2008 Posts: 13

The SST is basically a updated 501 which uses an EDNA for a control head and the EDNA RCU is used for the remote. I used these on BLK 60's and really liked it. Most tests run similiar to a 501. The great part is the fault isolation. When a fail occurs you can highlight the red failure line and it will give you what signal, with plug and pin number, the min/max readings expected and the actual voltage, or whatever value, measured during the test. It doesn't take long to pick up on using and operating it. Still has some bugs to be worked out. It does have some down sides such as the Windows operating system, which has its own set of problems. It is noisy due to blower fans in the CPU. But it will be a great tester especially for those lacking troubleshooting skills.

Newbie Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 10 Status: Offline

Steve? Is that you talking out the side of your neck again? Poke

I agree with you 100% on the abilities of the tester with all that test result info at your finger-tips via a USB thumb drive, I see it helping take care of MOST of the CND's that always occur between Arm Shop & Flight-line.....That's the part that keeps me going. Applause

I was only talking about the USAF side of this tester. Makes no difference to me about Blk 60's.......YET and I stress the YET! Plus the whole deal with corporate & regular DoD contracts makes a person wonder sometimes. WTF

We do not use the EDNA RCU on ours for either SCU or MMC A/C, we have another version of RCU that is much smaller & easier to use, Windows driven GUI etc. (Check out the attached website for more info)

Newbie Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 10 Status: Offline

Web site no workie via my computer files so I will try this angle...
http://www.ropermobile.com/products/switchback/

The SST replaces the -501 flightline tester and the -500 backshop tester and rolls the two testers into one. The way ahead to to have one type of tester that can work on many different aircraft platforms. From a personal level the -501 is still a great tester when you know how to use it and know what its looking for at each step.

Cheers,

ViperDude

Newbie Joined: Mar 21, 2008 Posts: 7 Status: Offline

We had lots of problems on the line working it, but it's getting better here. The thing I like the most about the SST is the ability to use the RCU while in the cockpit. You still have to have a person on the ground to pull lanyards and such, but the operator in the cockpit has ultimate control over the pace of the test. It works well in that respect.

Newbie Joined: Feb 25, 2008 Posts: 3 Status: Offline

Been working with the SST for 4 years now. It's still going through some growing pains but will be an excellent tester in the future. I find that the test are more detailed than the 500 or the 501. Where I am at the flight line uses the ACPTS more than the SST as the ACPTS is way more comprehensive than the old beer can we were used to. I don't think there is a piece of equipment that the test can not test and in way more depth than the 500. Only problem I see is if your troubleshooting skills are lacking then it could be a problem. It does give you a test number fault with connector and pin but there is no Fault Isolation for it. And of course there are a ton of cables. Bang Head

Enthusiast Joined: Jul 31, 2005 Posts: 93 Status: Offline

So I still have to wrestle w/ cables??? LOL! My troubleshooting days are over, I'm gonna have to watch these younger guys t/s from the office...

Newbie Joined: May 14, 2008 Posts: 3 Status: Offline

Yes, you still have plenty of cables but I have seen them and they look to be more robust than any legacy cables. But I would still handle them with care. I have to say that the guys working the SST (SPO/ACC) have been busting their rump trying to ensure it works properly when fielded and work the bugs out themselves vs. the field working them out. My hat is off to them!

Newbie Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 10 Status: Offline

Wookie,
Thanks for the nice words and it was nice to touch base with some of the OLD-DOGS at the PIWG. We are trying our best to work out all the bugs before this thing fields for USAF.....It is rough because we truly feel we are doing this right. I say that with absolutely nothing negative toward ANY other program that has been using the SST already.....Business is Business.
OH! Congrats to you for the use of the word "ROBUST", Applause

that brings back some production meeting memories......... LMAO

Now I need to try and use "Quality", "Lean Forward" "Peel Back The Onion" and of course "OUTSTANDING!" Twisted Evil

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