TEXT
1.
INTRODUCTION
a. In recent years, our national defense methods have progressed
considerably from the concept of ring and post sight.
Our defense system
now depends upon complex fire control systems, guided missiles, and rockets
using both conventional and nuclear warheads.
Effective performance of
these systems is an absolute must in the defense of our nation.
Widely
dispersed locations require even more complicated communications to properly
employ these systems.
b. Complete reliability of our equipment requires that all electronic,
electro-mechanical, mechanical, hydraulic, and optical components of each
system function with design accuracy.
The using unit must rely on
designated test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment to check out the
various components.
Final performance of the system cannot be more
effective than the accuracy of this test equipment.
c. The development of these systems and the test, measurement and
diagnostic equipment (TMDE) used to insure their accuracy has generated a
need for a means of verifying the accuracy of the test equipment. The Army
calibration company is designed to do just that.
2.
CONCEPTS OF CALIBRATION
a. As stated in the
previous
lesson,
the
mission
of
the
Army
calibration system is to:
(1) Insure traceability of measurements to the National Bureau of
Standards (NBS).
(2) Promote the advancement of the science of metrology.
(3) Perform calibrations at
the lowest level consistent with the
required accuracies.
b. The basic structure of the calibration program is as follows:
(Figure 1)
(1) National Bureau of Standards (NBS).
Established by Congress.
(2) US Army Standards Laboratory (USASL).
The primary standards are
certified by NBS.
(3) Army Area Calibration Laboratory (AACL), Secondary Reference
Laboratory, and Internal Mission Laboratory.
The USASL calibrates the
standards for these facilities.
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