FORT RUCKER, Ala. — PAE Maneuver Air, in partnership with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, successfully completed a 12-month operational pathfinder sustainment maintenance exercise aimed at advancing Army aviation readiness.
The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence operates equipment equivalent to five combat aviation brigades and conducts 40% of the Army’s aviation flight hours, supporting the development of highly trained combat aviators.
AMCOM, the Army’s lead organization for aviation sustainment maintenance, provides support for all aviation platforms and fleets that enable the center’s mission.
Because of the center’s operational tempo and high volume of maintenance transactions, its maintenance requirements serve as a critical testing ground for technology and process improvements designed to enhance operational readiness.
During the past 12 months, a team of Army and industry representatives conducted a maintenance improvement pathfinder exercise to leverage the Army’s existing Next Generation Automatic Test System, or NGATS, to improve AH-64E Apache helicopter flightline readiness. While NGATS historically has been used to support ground systems such as the Stryker, Abrams and Bradley platforms, its electronic diagnostic capabilities are now being applied to aviation systems.
“Leveraging existing technology like NGATS to its maximum effect is going to show real returns for Army aviation,” said Col. Tim Harloff, commander of the AMCOM Combined Logistics Command.
With support from Boeing, the AH-64E manufacturer, and onsite maintenance partner M1, sustainment personnel tested new fault diagnostic and test procedures for the Aircraft Interface Unit, or AIU, a major Army readiness driver.
Initial estimates projected several hundred thousand dollars in potential savings. However, use of NGATS and Boeing-developed test procedures resulted in more than $1 million in cost avoidance on a single part.
Army officials said NGATS allows operational units to rapidly verify “no fault found” conditions, reducing unnecessary costs and limiting demand on the Army’s global supply chain. Officials also said the process helps industry partners demonstrate the quality and reliability of parts provided to operational units.
“We are going to see consistent wins for the Army when we collaborate with and across our industry partners,” said Col. John Morris, chief of staff for AMCOM.
Army aviation leaders plan to develop a list of NGATS testing candidates and related test procedures focused on key readiness drivers to improve maintenance and sustainment outcomes. Officials said maximizing existing Army systems while strengthening industry partnerships will enhance readiness and training for critical Army aviation platforms.
Social Sharing