TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Materials/Processes, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS 312

OBJECTIVE: Reduce the frequency of required ship visits by Shipyard Engineers through a portable, ruggedized, and innovative remote-monitoring diagnostic assessment capability.

DESCRIPTION: Provide capability for integrated remote communications, trouble shooting, data inputs, measurements and "eyes-on" assessment of high maintenance equipment. Technological advances in communication and information systems have negated much of the required travel for necessary personnel in various technical fields. Requirements for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Navy Shipyard Engineers have increased throughout the years to aide Aircraft Carrier crews in trouble shooting specific technological and mechanical problems in the arena of Auxiliary Machinery. The costs incurred for travel, training, wait time for repairs, reductions in operational availability and logistic support are unnecessary expenditures in a field capable of remote assistance.

SMEs are limited in number due to extensive training and experience, and are invaluable resources to the Fleet as a whole. Time spent traveling reduces the ability of the Fleet to utilize the SMEs expertise in specific arenas. Onboard diagnosis of auxiliary equipment has been pivotal in the identification of mission critical deficiencies and the SMEs are crucial players in the assessment, evaluation and diagnosis of specific systems due to their acumen and working knowledge of Navy Systems. Aircraft Carriers are having increased difficulty in the fielding of these SMEs, and are creating an ever-evolving process to attempt to keep the Fleet mission-ready, while decreasing the total cost of repairs, manning, training, and maintenance.

Methods of remote communications, trouble shooting, data inputs, measurements and "eyes-on" assessment could possibly be conducted in a maritime environment. The complex nature of systems interaction has produced a plethora of data sources of various types, all of which are necessary simultaneously to accurately diagnose system malfunctions. SMEs require multi-faceted interfaces including gross measurements (temperature, pressure, vibration, RPMs, etc.), audio and visual inputs, and real-time communications while on-site to diagnose problems and recommend solutions for repair. The breadth of auxiliary equipment is also problematic, as this equipment includes air conditioning plants, refrigerators, elevators, lube and fuel oil systems, and many others.

Remote access to data, while maintaining system security and using existing network limitations, will be technically difficult to achieve, as will reliable, real-time (or near real-time) interchange of data for the remote SME. The ability of the SME to direct Ship's Force personnel remotely will require live audio/video feeds, and all related equipment will need to be able to withstand a maritime environment and use existing network infrastructure. Any diagnostic equipment will need to be ruggedized, portable, user friendly, and be able to address multiple pieces of auxiliary equipment. Connectivity while at sea is also limited, particularly during flight operations, and would have to be addressed in order to receive and transmit data to the SME on shore.

PHASE I: Develop a concept proposal for a portable, integrated, ruggedized system enabling a SME to remotely diagnose, assess, monitor, and evaluate critical deficiencies and provide corrective actions to Ship's Force. System will need to be adaptable to a wide-range of ship systems (electronic, mechanical, habitability, etc.) and utilize the organic shipboard network capabilities. The SME will require access to gross measurements and real-time audio/video feeds to the Ship's force to effectively diagnose system deficiencies.

PHASE II: Generate full-scale working prototype of the portable, integrated, ruggedized capability for remote diagnosis, assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of deficiencies. Demonstrate real-time audio/visual, multifaceted interfaces of hardware in a land-based environment. Demonstrate operability onboard an Aircraft Carrier while the ship is in homeport, with additional testing occurring while ship is out to sea for short exercise periods to determine effective connectivity. These operability tests would be contingent on the Navy’s ability to make assets available for demonstration, at no cost to the contractor.

PHASE III: Demonstrate operability onboard an Aircraft Carrier as a Test and Evaluation (T & E) during one 6-month deployment with multiple SMEs to verify readiness. Correct any shortcomings noted in Shipboard T & E. Develop the capacity for full-scale manufacturing, including special tools. Develop the capacity for logistic, communications, HW/SW, and training support, as well as provisioning technical documentation and operating instructions. Generate full-scale manufacturing, Fleet introduction and Fielding, and training as necessary.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: Commercial Manufacturing Environments, Commercial Industrial Environments, Commercial Maritime Maintenance

REFERENCES:
1. COMNAVAIRLANTINST 4105.2 - Aircraft Carrier Maintenance Support Centers (MSC) Policy and Procedures

2. COMSERVFORNAVCENTINST 4700.1 - Maintenance Handbook for Deployed Ships

3. NETWARCOM Reference- Satellite Database Futures

4. COMFLTFORCOMINST 4790.3 REV B CH-1 - Joint Fleet Maintenance Manual (JFMM)

KEYWORDS: Remote Diagnosis; Communications; Data Stream; Repair

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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