The US Army has awarded Boeing a $92-million contract for additional next-generation automatic test systems (NGATS).

NGATS is a mobile diagnostic platform that provides real-time field tests and rapid automated troubleshooting of over 100 components for various military vehicles, aircraft, and weapon systems.

The new NGATS units will support the US Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk medium-lift helicopters and M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers.

M109A6 Paladin howitzers
M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers of the US Army. The equipment is included in the $750 million arms sale to Taiwan. Photo: AFP

Meanwhile, Boeing plans a similar test program to provide “no evidence of failure issues” for the army’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.

“This award demonstrates that NGATS is becoming the standard for fix effectiveness and readiness in the field, enabling operations in a contested logistics environment,” Boeing Global Services Vertical Lift and Special Operations Director John Chicoli stated.

Reduced Testing Labor, Costs

According to Boeing, NGATS presents test solutions while addressing related workloads, timelines, and costs.

The system has already proven its advantage in validating the performance of other US Army assets, such as the M1A1 and M1A2 SEP V2/V3/V4 Abrams main battle tanks, M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, and M1126 Stryker armored personnel carriers.

“NGATS eliminates manual troubleshooting and disassembly of components which reduce labor hours,” a statement from Boeing said.

“NGATS aids in avoiding lead times that come with ordering parts and possible depot-level maintenance. One Armored Brigade Combat Team noted NGATS saved more than $26 million in repair costs in five months.”