Electronic Military & Defense magazine was developed for engineers, program managers, project managers, and those involved in the design and development of electronic and electro-optic systems for military, defense, and aerospace applications.
Issue link: https://electronicsmilitarydefense.epubxp.com/i/146848
Techniques tractors accounted for 45 percent of the $31.5 billion spent on military repair work, up from 34 percent in 1991. While the United States requires no more than 50 percent of military repair be outsourced to private contractors, the Obama Administration is working to better define which critical defense functions can be outsourced — including electronics repair. While there is an increase in the number of repair depots, establishing this service is a major undertaking, as it requires a significant investment in capital equipment, manpower, and time. For example, to accommodate the potting and encapsulation required for smaller, lighter, more reliable products, dB Control tripled the size of its previous test laboratory. The company installed modern chemical mixing stations, vapor degreasers to clean products prior to encapsulation, cold traps to liquefy gas contaminants produced during the potting process, closet-sized vacuum chambers to remove air from potting material, large curing ovens to harden the epoxy or silicone RTV, and a custom air curtain exhaust system to sweep away chemical fumes and excess heat. In addition to the investment in facilities, capital equipment, and technology, dB Control needed highly specialized technicians who were extensively trained to work with highvoltages and hazardous chemicals. Qualifying Repair Depot Partners Especially in the defense industry, where lives depend on military electronics, selecting a reliable repair depot partner is a complex process. OEMs should conduct an extensive qualification process focused on three key areas: 1. 2. 3. Facilities: technological strengths, personnel experience, manufacturing/repair capabilities Capacity: track record meeting deadlines within budget, no production backlog/scheduling constraints Certifications: IPC-A-610, IPC/EIA J-STD-001 Class 3, etc. As the complexity of today's microwave and RF electronic products continues to increase, so does the need for specialized repair processes. Because internal repair can be expensive and deplete corporate resources, more OEMs are turning to repair depots to improve the product's quality, reliability, and manufacturability — and even extend product lifetime. Steve Walley is VP of business development at dB Control. He is responsible for developing new business ventures and strengthening existing relationships with customers. He has nearly 40 years of experience in the commercial and military microwave industries, including both domestic and international sales/marketing of TWTAs. TRIOPTICS - Your Partner for IR Optics Testing Providing the Largest Range of Test Equipment for IR Optics Worldwide. Testing of Lenses and Complex Optical Systems in NIR, SWIR, MWIR and LWIR. Wide range of technologies from one supplier: • Lens centering, air spacing and center thickness inside of assembled IR optics • Image quality testing with MTF and measurement of EFL, distortion, chromatic aberration, etc. • Surface profiling with Shack-Hartmann Sensors or interferometers We offer standard and customized solutions for R&D;, production and quality control. Electronic Military & Defense ■ www.vertmarkets.com/electronics 47