AF, Lockheed collaborate Published May 29, 2009 By 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Air Force and Lockheed Martin Simulations, Training and Support recently joined forces to reduce test costs and improve mission capability. The 742nd Combat Sustainment Group and Lockheed Martin STS have formed an Integrated Process Team to collaborate on finding innovative and cost-effective ways to merge instrumentation changes in automated test equipment. The IPT charter, signed by Col. Dave French, 742nd CBSG commander, and Randy Core, LMSTS director, on May 14 at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, was the result of a Lean event held in September 2008 to identify commonalities between the USAF's Versatile Depot Automatic Test Station and Lockheed's LM-STAR. After that event, Lockheed and the Air Force agreed to work closely to map out ways to bring the hardware architecture of the two systems closer together. According to Col French, "collaboration through the IPT allows the Air Force and Lockheed to take a strategic view at supporting new weapon systems coming on line such as the F-22 and F-35, allowing us to develop flexible support options for the future." "By working together, we can achieve our goals of reducing the total number of test stations required, reducing the sustainment cost of test equipment and establishing an agile test infrastructure that enables rapid change," Mr. Core said.