Joint Oil Analysis Program: Future Vision

ABSTRACT: The Joint Oil Analysis Program (JOAP), since its inception in 1968, has played a role in avoiding countless equipment failures via oil analysis being carried out according to its guidelines. During every decade of its history, analysis protocols have been refined to meet the need for effective oil analysis of new and aging assets. Currently, JOAP is in a position where its protocols, relative to the needs of the Warfighter, need a detailed review. The proposed effort provides this using a team of industry leaders. The key goals of the proposed effort center on three main thrusts: (a) determining how to enhance the existing capabilities and predictive power of oil analysis by providing more specific linkage between the analysis itself and suspect asset components; (b) examining the existing JOAP architecture and its technology pieces; and (c) establishing new overall oil analysis protocols for specific assets via (a), (b), input from industry best practices and cost/benefit optimization, which may be beta-tested during the Phase II effort. The goal is to streamline the entire oil analysis process. A successful Phase I effort will result in testable solutions for JOAP which can provide the Warfighter with significantly enhanced asset protection tools. BENEFIT: As a result of a successful Phase I effort, the Spectro Team will provide DoD with immediate, comprehensive oil analysis solutions for beta testing on selected assets. The goal in targeting these assets will be to demonstrate, through a sampling of the vast variety and needs of DoD assets, concrete solutions that are scalable to the whole of assets monitored by JOAP. It is anticipated that these solutions will provide JOAP with a template for a carefully managed but transformative future thrust.