Future Logistics and Supply Chain Options

Operator maintenance of equipment is a perennial problem for the Armed Forces. Operators are often pressed for time or inclined to take shortcuts when performing pre-operations maintenance checks on equipment such as forklifts, APU’s, trucks and so forth that are needed to support air operations. The aircraft and munitions tend to have a more important focus. However, it is critical that this auxiliary equipment is appropriately checked each time it is used, on a daily basis, or as needed. Ensuring consistent and complete performance of pre-operations equipment checks is a challenge for any organization that owns and depends upon mechanical equipment to accomplish its mission. It has been shown in commercial businesses that if operators are provided easily accessible maintenance checklists available on computer media or mobile phones they are more likely to perform pre-operations equipment checks correctly. This reduces equipment downtime and affords cost savings for routine and as-required maintenance. The US Military could benefit from similar technology enhanced with an augmented reality interface. A computer-aided tool would assure managers and leaders that proper checklist procedures are followed and archives the results of those checks thus improving logistics and supply chain operations and provide potential cost savings.