Augmented Reality for Sustainment Data Capture and Analysis

AFSC has a national defense-related mission need in the area of inspecting and maintaining the structural integrity of aircraft and aircraft components. AFSC is currently undergoing efforts to digitize the collection of data during inspection and maintenance operations.  These efforts include deploying NLign Analytics’ NCheck software to reduce redundancy in data entry, improve accuracy of collected data, and accelerate the delivery of that data to the relevant Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP) offices for multiple weapon systems at all ALCs.  ASIP engineering for multiple weapon systems has deployed NLign to visualize, analyze, and trend the data collected during inspection and maintenance operations, providing ASIP a more complete view of the health of each individual aircraft or component as well as better understand the health of the fleet.  These efforts have helped support development of components of the digital thread / digital twin for aircraft structures. In this effort NLign Analytics’ proposes the development of an augmented reality capability to be added into its proven software suite that is currently used by the Air Force to achieve improved sustainment data quality, data capture efficiency, 3D location accuracy, and real-time data availability.  By overlaying the locations at which inspection/maintenance operations are to be performed over the real part, CMXG expects inspectors and maintainers will be able to more easily locate where an operation is to be performed.  This will also result in more accurate collection of location data for sustainment operations. By overlaying all discrepancies, repairs, etc. on the physical aircraft or aircraft component, both CMXG and ASIP engineering will be easily able to see where all damages, repairs, etc. are located on the physical structure, both during the current depot induction cycle as well as for the entire digitally documented history of the aircraft.  This will create a novel capability to visualize and understand the “as-maintained” state of the aircraft or aircraft component.  The mission impact of this project on the DAF and DoD will be improved operational readiness of aircraft and increased awareness of the as-maintained state of the aircraft