The vehicles are put through rigorous tests on gravel, unpaved and paved courses. The tests include a 50-mile nonstop mission that stresses every part of a vehicle's capabilities. Every part is tested, from navigation systems to weapons to power trains. Our job isn't to baby-sit these vehicles. When something has passed here, soldiers receiving the equipment can be sure they're getting something good.
Engineers often stay with certain types of systems for years.
Rick Douglas, a YPG aviation systems test engineer, has been working with the Apache helicopter since 1980. Aviation ordnance testing is a small community, and most of us know each other well. The mix of civil service folks and contractors works great. Mike Diehl, Apache test team group leader, agreed with Douglas that the civil service-contract worker team is very effective. He also pointed out that YPG is an ideal test site for Army aircraft because of its open space and high-technology equipment that allows engineers to see exactly where the aircraft's weapons are hitting.