Policy:

DoDI 5000.85 Major Capabilities Acquisition, p. 42

(4) Unique Automatic Test Equipment (ATE).

Minimize unique ATE by utilizing designated DoD automatic test system families for all ATE hardware and software in DoD field and depot operations. Leverage common commodities (component items, support equipment, and support items) to the maximum extent possible before pursuing unique solutions to reduce support cost and logistical impacts.

Guidance:

Per MIL-HDBK-2097, Acquisition of Support Equipment and Associated Integrated Logistics Support, section 8.3 Equipment Commonality Management.

acquisition logistics efforts should strive to reduce or eliminate the number of tools and support equipment required to maintain the system. If tools and/or support equipment are shown to be necessary, standardization should be considered.

Common Support Equipment (CSE)

Per MIL-HDBK-2097, Acquisition of Support Equipment and Associated Integrated Logistics Support, common support equipment is designed for a wide-range of applications. Because CSE is already in the DoD inventory, its technical documentation, support requirements, provisioning records and maintenance requirements have been cataloged as part of the federal logistics information system and typically require minimal additional provisioning actions.

Special or Unique (Peculiar) Support Equipment (PSE)

Per MIL-HDBK-2097, Acquisition of Support Equipment and Associated Integrated Logistics Support, special or unique (peculiar) support equipment is designated for use with a specific equipment or equipment family. PSE requires development of technical documentation in federal cataloging records. PSE will require provisioning and its own product support infrastructure - support that would not currently be available in the DoD system but will have to be developed concurrently with development of the major systems.

Standardization

Standardization of support equipment is managed by the DoD from both a Joint and an individual Component perspective. Standardization can be from different perspectives:

• Functional
• Technical
• Operational

Example

Peculiar Support Equipment (PSE) adds to the table of equipment and associated product support requirements. Think about the yellow gear on a carrier. The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for the F-35 comes to mind. A unique PSE APU item was added to the carrier which already had similar CSE APUs that supported all other aircraft.  The impact was that the carrier needed to fit a unique piece of equipment on the flight deck that was already space challenged.