Next Generation Aircraft Depot Maintenance Management Technologies

The Global War on Terrorism is increasing pressure for DOD depots to expedite the return of serviceable weapon systems to the warfighter while maintaining or decreasing maintenance costs. Each military service has responded to this challenge by undertaking enterprise-wide logistics modernization programs. Efficient data capture and programmatic data input is a primary obstacle in the production deployment of these systems, often delaying critical productivity gains by a factor of years. Significant progress has been made in areas of financial management and material procurement but no service has effectively addressed depot shop floor automation. While each service has maintenance execution capabilities on its implementation roadmap, an efficient systematic process of data capture and programmatic data input has not been adequately addressed. This project proposes to develop an effective system of converting current depot shop floor paper-based work instructions into ISA-95 standard-based XML files configured for data loading ISA-95 compliant shop floor automation systems and enabling Integrated Work Control Processes (IWCP)’s. Anautics will develop the proposed capabilities in partnership and being sponsored through the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC) , Siemens UGS Software , and the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) . OC-ALC will provide access to source data and resources to verify and validate processes, Siemens UGS Software will provide Teamcenter requirements management, portfolio management, and maintenance execution software and services; and NCMS will provide access to complimentary research and development programs. To ensure program success, Anautics will work with NCMS in the OC-ALC Engines shop as a test bed for the IWCP application. This will ensure no production DOD systems or networks are impacted during the test and development effort. Although the IWCP team will be working in an isolated test environment, data validation and process accuracy will be assured through the collaborative participation of OC-ALC equipment specialist, planners, and shop floor supervisors. When completed; the system, captured data and supported processes will be presented to DOD Logistics Program Offices for evaluation and potential incorporation into formal implementation roadmaps.