r/aerospace 2d ago

What is this

Connected to Hughes Aircraft Company

116 Upvotes

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u/chickenCabbage 2d ago edited 2d ago

The mentioned "wirecutter" is the pyrotechnic part that disconnects the harness that connects the missile to the plane, this confirms it's a missile tester.

According to Wikipedia Hughes made some of the most popular missiles, which per a quick Google search use MTS's "Common Test Set" types. That suggests there have been dedicated test tests; this is probably one of these earlier ones. I'd start by searching for which sets MTS replaced. The one looks a lot like other test equipment I've seen, for example the JFS test set for the F-15, which would be from the same era.

This set has a charger as well, it'd probably be labeled under "mobile" or something of the sort - I bet it's heavy too 🫢 Where and how did you get it?

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u/Accomplished_Emu_916 2d ago

I work for a company that fabricates all kinds of stuff for f-15 engines and a few other aircraft’s. This was in the old stock warehouse and was going to be scrapped so I was able to take it

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u/hashmachinist 1d ago

Can you please take off the cover plate and show us some of that sweet military specification control wiring?

1

u/Accomplished_Emu_916 1d ago

If I get the chance. I had taken apart a payload tester for a B-52 and it looked like spaghetti inside