1. 2016 Maintenance Innovation Challenge
Innovative Low Observable Sustainment and Maintenance
PROBLEM STATEMENT
AF is experiencing obsolescence issues w/ current Tier II systems e.g. SCI-2K and RVR. F-35 PEO directed RVR development effort to stop work; redirected funds to integrate next gen handheld radar imaging technology, 15 Jan 2015
Assessing the health of a low observable (LO) weapon systems using legacy capabilities is extremely labor intensive, time consuming, prone to human error, requires highly trained personnel, and has a large logistic equipment footprint
The inventory of DoD LO weapon systems is rapidly increasing on an exponential level
Current inspections are expensive and not conducive to lean, high tempo, organic field and forward-deployed operations and maintenance
BENEFITS
Expected to deliver $188.4M in life-cycle cost avoidance and a transition effort is underway for additional ruggedization and low-rate initial production on behalf of the F-35 JPO
Eliminates costly “recreational” maintenance to repair defects when it is not required!
Small logistics footprint allows for organic field and deployed operations and environments
System can be set up and operational in under 15 minutes by an unsophisticated user
Provides field commanders with greater understanding and confidence in LO system health and mission capability
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
Handheld radar imaging technology that is light-weight, accurate, and easy to use by organic entry-level maintainers.
Comparable quality data to current expensive, large rail-mounted systems, not deployable, and require expert users
Measurements taken while walking the handheld unit along an area to be inspected; real-time feedback provided for quick decisions to be made to repair or defer maintenance
Limited low rate initial production (LRIP) contract underway to meet hazardous operations requirements around fueled aircraft (European conformity (CE/ATEX) certification).
Data collection of the system is integrated with LO signature management database systems like the F-35 LOHAS
Imaging system has commonality across multiple weapon systems and Services through design for flight lines, aircraft carriers, and austere operating locations
GRAPHIC