ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – The United States Army is prioritizing the concepts of continuous transformation and Transforming in Contact within a dynamic global technology and geopolitical environment, placing a heightened demand for a formidable readiness and lethality posture. Focusing on this endgame is crucial for the CECOM Integrated Logistics Support Center to continue its course of continuous improvement upon its historical successes supporting our warfighters in the Army logistics and sustainment arenas around the globe.
In the pursuit of a more efficient, effective (ready), and lethal Army, the ILSC is developing an artificial intelligence troubleshooting capability to support/assist Army field-level maintenance personnel in theater with tactical preservation and repair activities. An adept and pliable Artificial Intelligence Assisted Maintenance machine learning platform will conceptually serve in the initial tier of a graduated, three-tiered tactical-level maintenance support continuum for the warfighter. As this technology develops through experience, milestones, and improvements to AI machine learning, the vision to scale this capability across the force in the future could become a viable reality for the warfighter.
CECOM ILSC is exploring the concept development to achieve the need for a three-tiered system of logistics assistance for all field-level tactical maintenance and sustainability requirements. The first tier of the system is through utilization of AIAM machine learning platform. For example, picture a scenario where the warfighter has an issue with their generator engine which will not start following multiple ignition attempts. Soldiers would describe this symptomology to the AI assistant and provide the assistant with the general nomenclature of the generator. The data that the warfighter provides, coupled with the machine learning, allows the assistant to offer systematic troubleshooting instructions, as well as step-by-step repair actions.
In the event the AIAM tool is unable to provide corrective action steps to fix/repair the performance fault/failure for the warfighter, the second tier of logistics assistance would then be initiated. This tier involves the consultation with a Logistics Assistance Representative utilizing telemaintenance, which is employed with conventional communication methods to assist the warfighter with more in-depth troubleshooting methodology/assistance to provide corrective action steps necessary to restore the system to Fully Mission Capable status. The third and final tier of the logistics assistance system employs traditional “boots on ground support” from a LAR in proximity to the leading edge of the battlefield for more traditional over-the-shoulder troubleshooting and repair solutions.
The ILSC intends to build multiple AI assistants in support of C5ISR systems. The first wave of agents will help with troubleshooting, and there will be more to come as the Army further develops the technology at hand. Pilots are planned in the coming months to test how artificial intelligence assistants will serve the warfighter in theater. These pilots are essential to testing the capability of the assistants, while also imparting valuable experience that the AI can use going forward.
Another development in transformation is currently underway within the Weapon Systems Management Combat Aviation Power Directorate, as they make progress on the Binocular Night Vision Observation Device program. In the Capability Development Document for BiNOD, field-level maintenance is a key parameter in the development and design of the equipment, with the goal of at least 80% of maintenance to be performed in the field rather than the costly and more time-consuming depot level process. WSMD Associate Director Medhat Abuhantash says, “As the Army transitions from counterinsurgency to large-scale combat operations, having the “fix, forward, fast” capability allows Soldiers to maintain critical equipment, minimize downtime, and continue missions without unnecessary delays ensuring operational readiness is preserved.”
Through direct efforts like these and other groundbreaking technological initiatives that support a “fix, forward, fast” approach to maintenance, CECOM ILSC is advancing its capabilities in lockstep with Army directives mandating the critical, rapid modernization, and continued lethality of our fighting force.
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