N112-103 TITLE: Advanced Common Integrative, Intelligent, Customizable and Scalable Automated Logistics Environment (ALE) Framework

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: F-35, Joint Strike Fighter

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports):  This topic is "ITAR Restricted."  The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data.  Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop an advanced common integrative, intelligent ALE planning, development, technology, integration, and deployment framework solution to effectively support and sustain an increasing global military operations footprint.

DESCRIPTION: The importance of integrated logistics in being able to effectively support and sustain an increasing global military operations footprint and a high operations tempo cannot be over stated. Well planned, coordinated and integrated logistics operations, processes and activities are crucial to the success of ongoing and future military operations. The need for dynamic flexibility in operations and reliable resource deployment is essential in a growing global environment of uncertainty and shifting strategic and tactical paradigms. Integrated logistics planning, design, operations and execution are essential to making this possible. Additionally, with advanced aircraft, ship and ground systems becoming ever more "smart" and complex, these systems are becoming increasingly more dependent on continuous, comprehensive and integrated logistics sustainment support. With these challenges in mind, an advanced common integrative, intelligent, customizable and scalable ALE planning, development, technology, integration and deployment framework solution is needed that brings together the concepts and core principles of Focused Logistics, Integrated Logistics, Sense and Respond Logistics, the Automated Maintenance Environment (AME) and a common data environment.

The current state of ALE technology evolution is represented by an incomplete set of mostly stand-alone and proprietary logistics related systems, applications and disjointed databases. ALE development efforts to date have been disjointed, providing limited interoperability, integration or scalable customization options. Current efforts generally do not adequately support the broader mission, strategies and operations of NAVAIR, the Navy and DoD-wide. Ongoing ALE development programs are primarily focused on specific aircraft programs, mostly ignoring the broader enterprise and command and control level needs and opportunities. Existing ALE components do not integrate well. True interoperability across the enterprise is minimal.

The Navy has made significant investments in ALE component systems, application tools and their related functionality. This includes a number of existing ALE related system and software technologies, tools, and initiatives (for example NSIV, CAMEO, CABO). These tools provide standard IETM user interface viewer support, maintenance support, collaborative authoring and technical data sustainment, and apply web-based, service oriented and open architectures, and limited integration of a mix of COTS, GOTS and proprietary technologies. However, these technologies and tools alone do not provide a common integrative, intelligent ALE framework. These technologies and tools and others are components of a comprehensive ALE framework. Also, associated high data development, sustainment and management costs within an environment of declining resources represent a key pressure point. Data re-use and sharing opportunities across aircraft platforms developing similar data are minimal. This current technology environment does not support the Naval Air System Command�s (NAVAIR), Navy�s or DoD�s open architecture, interoperability or net-enabled enterprise and flexible operations goals.

It is critical that innovative options for an advanced common integrative, intelligent ALE technology and integration framework be researched and (if feasible) developed that will bring together a unified set of customer-defined policies, standards, processes, workflow and combination of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and government owned technologies (GOTS). This desired ALE framework will provide the technology enablers from which a common integrated, intelligent ALE can be modeled, configured, implemented and used.

The primary common ALE framework enabling technology of interest is the intelligent ALE domain and component system/application integration orchestrator (the engine). The engine works transparently (to the user) with a dynamic integrated metadata environment manager, and a standard user interface viewer that becomes the interactive ALE gateway and dashboard for the end users. The ALE "orchestrator" engine would provide transparent dynamic interactive access to and adaptive coordination of ALE domains and component systems and application modules (both currently existing and future investments), including: ALE modeling and configuration, enhanced planning, what if scenario modeling, search, resource management, maintenance, automated workflow management, IETMs, interactive training, system health monitoring, diagnostics, prognostics, supply chain management, parts ordering, warehouse management and inventory control/tracking, common authoring environment, content management, data management and sustainment, and dynamic decision support.

There are technical risk challenges driven by inherent complexities, existing disparate systems and technologies, and breadth of domain functionality support that a common integrative, intelligent ALE represents. The successful result of this project would demonstrate a common intelligent, intuitive, and configurable ALE domain and component system and application integration "orchestrator", transparent to the user that dynamically integrates and coordinates the ALE domain and component functions, activities, and transactions through intelligent natural user interface options. In achieving this successful result, enabling technologies of interest to be researched and potentially developed and integrated within the ALE framework of the future include: innovative case-based and knowledge-based reasoning, self-learning, dynamic/adaptive algorithms, web-based dynamic services and cloud-based architecture, open source products, and natural user interface techniques and technologies that enable and support transparent dynamic user navigation and interaction through a standard interface. It would support the enterprise, operations, and expeditionary level process and tracking activities providing improved planning, common data access, management, sustainment and dynamic decision support.

PHASE I: Develop a concept model and determine the technical, operational, and cost feasibility of developing an advanced common integrative, intelligent ALE planning, development, technology, integration, and deployment framework solution.

PHASE II: Design, develop, and demonstrate a scaled prototype of the ALE framework solution. The demonstrated prototype should integrate at least three ALE component systems or applications. Show how the ALE framework can be used to support and deliver a tailored sustainable enterprise-wide, operational and platform specific ALE solution. Develop a cost/benefit/risk analysis for potentially moving forward to Phase III.

PHASE III: Develop a full-scale integrated ALE framework solution and transition it to a NAVAIR program such as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Any commercial operation that involves and/or manufactures, manages, maintains and trains on large, complex, high-value and potentially widely dispersed assets and products could benefit from this technology. Examples include commercial airlines, utility/power generation operations, the energy sector, and commercial shipping fleets.

REFERENCES:
1. Galluzzo, Vince, Logistics Management Through an S1000D Enabled ALE, AIA/ATA/ASD S1000D Users Forum, Hilton Head, SC, 12-15 Oct 2009, http://public.s1000d.org/Downloads/Documents/2009%20User%20Forum%20Presentations/t2004%20Entire%20%20AME_ALE%20PANEL%20at%20S1000D%20Forums.pdf, pp. 2-9.

2. Cole, Dwayne, Standardized ALE Development, AIA/ATA/ASD S1000D Users Forum, Hilton Head, SC, 12-15 Oct 2009, http://public.s1000d.org/Downloads/Documents/2009%20User%20Forum%20Presentations/t2004%20Entire%20%20AME_ALE%20PANEL%20at%20S1000D%20Forums.pdf, pp. 31-36.

3. ONR program fact sheet, subject: Sense and Respond Logistics, Aug 2008, http://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Media-Center/Fact-Sheets/Sense-and-Response-Logistics.aspx

4. Sharrer, Robert (Bob), NAVAIR Product Data Initiatives, AIA Conference, Clearwater, FL, 7 May 2009; https://acc.dau.mil/adl/en-US/306242/file/45595/5%20-%20Sharrer%20-%20clearwater%2009.pdf

KEYWORDS: Automated Logistics Environment (ALE); Focused Logistics; Integrated Logistics; Sense and Respond Logistics; Automated Maintenance Environment (AME); Common Data Environment

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