BAE Systems to enhance obsolescence predictive maintenance tool to help keep Air Force planes flying
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., 27 Oct. 2016. Data analysts at BAE Systems are enhancing a predictive maintenance computer program to enable U.S. Air Force experts to anticipate when obsolescence will affect aircraft components, and then plan for alternative sourcing or system redesign.
Officials of the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., announced an $8.1 million contract option Wednesday to BAE Systems Technology Solution & Services segment in Rockville, Md., for support to the Air Force Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) program.
The Air Force DMSMS program provides program management of an obsolescence-prediction system called the Advanced Component Obsolescence Management (AVCOM) tool, as well as provide analysis and resolution for end-of-life programs. The DMSMS program seeks to mitigate the effect of obsolescence on Air Force weapon systems from acquisition through disposal.
The program's goal is to help the Air Force manage component obsolescence in Air Force weapon systems and groups such as the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing; F-16 jet fighter, B-2, B-1 and B-52 jet bombers; E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS); KC-135 airborne refueling aircraft; and the C-5 Galaxy cargo jet.
Wednesday's contract option calls for BAE Systems to provide additional data loads and maintain previous data loads of the enterprise-wide DMSMS predictive tool. This work involves analyzing program bills of material, system status, and life cycle procurement efforts.
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The order is part of the original $10.2 million DMSMS management program contract that BAE Systems won in December 2014. BAE Systems won an additional $9.5 million DMSMS program order in December 2015 for enhancing the DMSMS AVCOM predictive tool.
This tool enables users to load and maintain unlimited levels of component data and how those components interact with each other, based on technical orders, drawings, flat files, and other source documents.
During the loading of source documents, the AVCOM predictive tool identifies discrepancies and routes them back to the managing authority for official corrections. Identifying and correcting source documentation helps ensure a correct configuration in parts databases.
Once users load electronic and non-electronic component types into the system, experts can evaluate aircraft and other weapon systems for current part status and analysis. Users can generate forecasting reports such as component health projections, create current system and assembly health analysis, or project the health analysis 20 years out to evaluate future obsolescence.
The system receives and processes automated product change, product discontinuation, and counterfeit notification alerts directly from the parts manufacturers, as well as from Government Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP) notices to inform users of upcoming obsolescence issues.
These capabilities help project managers identify the effects of parts and assembly obsolescence on their platforms. Data feeds from sources such as Defense Logistics Agency, DO43, and FEDLOG show logistics solutions that are readily available.
For cases where solutions are not available, DMSMS experts can help identify potential solutions for obsolete components, based on alternative programs and engineering research.
For more information contact BAE Systems Technology Solution & Services online at www.baesystems.com, or the Air Force Sustainment Center at www.afsc.af.mil.
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John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
