FES supports various missile programs in the manufacture of high reliability circuit card assemblies; form, fit, and function redesign of electronic boxes; and integration of factory automated test equipment. FES manufactures circuit card assemblies for SLAM-ER, Harpoon, SM-3, and other sophisticated modern missile systems.
The high quality required for the most stringent of these required development and certification of each manufacturing process step, substantial capital equipment investment, facilities modifications, and customer oversight. Frontier integrated automated manufacturing and inspection processes into the production flow which improved first time quality and reduced production cycle time. Frontier's performance excellence on the SM-3 program resulted in the company's third Boeing Supplier of the Year award.
In addition to build-to-print manufacturing, FES has engineering projects in the missile area. For example, FES redesigned and manufactured shipboard launch relay equipment for Harpoon requiring form, fit, and function replacement of major assemblies. FES also provides ongoing integration support for specialized PAC-3 factory test equipment for a major prime contractor.
Frontier was contracted to provide Interface Test Adapters (ITAs) for PAC-3 missile depot test systems. The program began as a build-to-print initiative only but expanded to include design for manufacturing because of Frontier engineering initiatives focused on improving both quality and efficiency in the build process. The ITAs produced for this program connect the customer's Units Under Test (UUTs) to the Flexible Test and Measurement System (FTMS). Following the completion of the initial sets of ITAs for this program, Frontier was selected to design, qualify and manufacture a suite of Factory Acceptance and Test (FAT) equipment for the PAC-3 circuit card production facility. The purpose of this FAT is to verify circuit card electronics performance during environmental stress screening and vibration testing. FES continues to provide integration support for this system.
Frontier was competitively selected to manufacture Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) for the SM-3 missile. The program required development and certification of each manufacturing process step, substantial capital equipment investment, facilities modifications, and customer oversight. Frontier integrated automated manufacturing and inspection processes into the production flow which improved first time quality and reduced production cycle time.