Avionics Test Station, Components, and Electronic Warfare Systems

What does the Avionics Test Station, Components, and Electronic Warfare Systems career field do?

Performs and manages avionics test station functions and activities. Operates, inspects, maintains, programs, and calibrates computer and manually operated avionics test equipment, support equipment (SE), and aircraft avionics systems components. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 119800.

Duties and responsibilities

• Analyzes performance and isolates malfunctions of avionics test equipment, SE, and aircraft components. Performs operational tests on test equipment, SE, and aircraft components to determine condition, analyze performance, and isolate malfunctions in the radar, sensors, communications, weapons control, electronic warfare (EW), and flight control and engine control systems. Traces logic, schematic, test flow, and wiring diagrams. Uses self-test and software functions, computer and manually operated avionics test equipment, SE, and test measurement and diagnostic equipment to determine the scope of repair and adjustment required.
• Inspects, maintains, programs, and calibrates avionics equipment, SE, and aircraft components. Removes and replaces assembly components using hand tools, soldering devices, and electronic instruments. Repairs EW systems and pods, sensor systems and components, wiring harnesses and interconnecting cables. Services, replaces, and cleans filtration and cooling components, and performs maintenance on test stations and avionics SE. Repairs amplifier and logic circuits; microwave equipment; servomechanisms; radio frequency circuits; video displays; and power supply circuits. Loads computer programs. Aligns, calibrates, and modifies avionics test equipment, SE, and aircraft components.
• Manages integrated avionics activities and complies with directives, policies, and procedures. Complies with maintenance standards. Initiates deficiency reports, maintenance analysis documents, technical data changes, and equipment records. Interprets, establishes, and complies with training, security, and safety standards. Ensures compliance with directives governing handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste and material. Records information on data collection forms and automated systems. Directs and controls maintenance, calibration, and inspection of integrated avionics test stations and aircraft components.
• Plans and organizes integrated avionics activities. Including equipment assembly, calibration, repair, modification, and maintenance. Plans physical layout of facilities and ensures SE and spare parts availability.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: electrical theory and electronic fundamentals, including solid-state, binary, digital, octal, and hexadecimal numbering systems; metrology principles; Boolean algebra; computer logic, and programming principles and language; cyber protection theory and hygiene, including weapon system attack surfaces and air-gapped system risks; printed circuitry; microwave, radar, and electronic warfare principles; microminiature solid state devices; operating principles of avionics components supported by test stations; electrically actuated mechanical device theory; operating principles of basic measuring and testing devices; interpreting schematic, logic, data flow, and wiring diagrams; interpreting programming tables and technical publications; using, caring for, and applying special, standard, and common hand tools; interpreting testing, measuring, and referencing devices; concepts and application of applicable maintenance directives; Air Force supply procedures; and use and disposal of hazardous waste and material.

Education. Completion of high school courses in physics, algebra, trigonometry, and computer principles is desirable.

Training. The following are mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• For award of AFSC 2A031, completion of the basic avionics test station and components course.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 2A051. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A031. Also, experience in functions such as identifying performance and isolating malfunctions encountered with avionic components; using and repairing avionic electrical, electronic, and mechanical equipment; or aligning and calibrating avionic test stations and SE.
• 2A071. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A051. Also, experience performing or supervising functions such as installing, inspecting, repairing, or overhauling avionic test stations and SE.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty:
• Normal color vision as defined in DAFMAN I 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs:
• Must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and DAFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• Specialty requires routine access to Tier 3 (T3) information, systems, or similar classified environment.
• Completion of a current T3 Investigation required IAW DoDM 5200.02, DAFMAN 16-1405, Department of Air Force Personnel Security Program, is mandatory. NOTE: Award of the entry level without a completed T3 Investigation is authorized provided an interim Secret security clearance has been granted according to DoDM 5200.02, DAFMAN 16-1405.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $36,390–$103,650 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: $68,570
• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: $66,440
• Aviation Inspectors: $78,400
• Avionics Technicians: $67,840
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians: $64,190
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $67,550
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers: $36,390
• Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment: $70,200
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
• Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians: $59,800
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers: $45,270
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: $40,460
• Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers: $57,720