Abstract: An integrated aircraft system for funtionally testing the components and subsystems of an aircraft during its manufacture and subsequent maintenance. A central control unit serves as a repository for test applications and instruction sets that comprise the individual steps of the functional tests performed on the aircraft. In response to receiving indications of work performed on the aircraft, the central control unit displays an indication of the functional tests that should be performed on the aircraft. The system includes a plurality of automated test equipment carts (ATEs). Each of the ATEs contains a number of processor-controllable instruments for performing functional tests on specific components and subsystems that comprise a specific aircraft system. A system controller on each of the ATEs controls the operation of the test instruments associated therewith.