Historic Achievement for RTC's Advanced Test Instrumentation Product's Test Division

By Christy BarnettJuly 14, 2025

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (July 15, 2025) – In a groundbreaking accomplishment, the Test Set Integration (TSI) team from the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center successfully installed and validated the Air-to-Ground-Mission Systems Firing Test Set (AFTS) at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

Historic Achievement for RTC's Advanced Test Instrumentation Product's Test Division
In a groundbreaking accomplishment, the Test Set Integration team from the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center successfully installed and validated the Air-to-Ground-Mission Systems Firing Test Set (AFTS) at Eglin Air Force Base. Pictured from left: Hannah Smith, Dani Finch, Jake Saltich, Ethan Elders, Jeremiah Clark & Paul Sanford. (Photo Credit: Courtesy photo) VIEW ORIGINAL

This monumental feat, which took place earlier this year in February 2025, marks the culmination of two years of tireless dedication and perseverance from the TSI team. The TSI team is from RTC’s Environmental and Component Test Directorate's Advanced Test Instrumentation Product's Test Division.

The development of the AFTS was a complex and challenging project that required countless hours of overtime and weekend work from the team. Despite the obstacles, the TSI team remained committed to meeting the final deadline, and their hard work paid off in a resounding manner. The validation process, which involved a series of rigorous tests, yielded impressive results, with the AFTS successfully completing seven out of seven shots.

“This achievement is a testament to the expertise, skill, and determination of the ECTD team, particularly the TSI team members who worked on the AFTS project”, said Collyn Mann, the director of ECTD, “Their unwavering commitment to excellence has resulted in a state-of-the-art test set that will play a critical role in the development and testing of air-to-ground missile systems.”

The successful validation of the AFTS is a significant milestone for the ECTD's Advanced Test Instrumentation Product's Test Division, and it demonstrates the team's capabilities in designing, developing, and delivering complex test systems.

“The entire ECA team deserves accolades for their outstanding work on this project. Their contributions have not only enhanced the capabilities of RTC and ECTD, but also reinforced the organization's reputation as a leader in the field of test and evaluation”, said RTC Commander Col. Joseph Alexander, “As RTC continues to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence, this achievement serves as a shining example of what can be accomplished through teamwork, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of perfection.”

The U.S. Army Redstone Test Center is located on Redstone Arsenal and is a subordinate command of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. RTC provides technical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and capabilities to plan, conduct, analyze, and report the results of tests on missile and aviation systems, sensors, subsystems and components.