Knowledge and algorithm deficiencies, workforce tradition, and restricted funding are simply a few of the challenges which have contributed to predictive upkeep not being totally carried out on any of the Protection Division’s weapon methods to this point — a development which may enhance sustainment prices and scale back weapons availability, in accordance with a Pentagon watchdog.
Predictive upkeep is a method navy officers apply to forecast the longer term failure factors for weapons parts earlier than they malfunction or utterly cease working. It depends on captured information from sensors or historic information to find out situations and allow predictions relating to upkeep for an element or full piece of kit. It may additionally leverage synthetic intelligence and machine studying, and is one aspect of the DOD’s overarching condition-based upkeep plus (CBM+) strategy for understanding its gear’s situations and minimizing unscheduled repairs.
The Pentagon has made progress over the past 20 years towards establishing CBM+ and predictive maintenance-related steering and applied sciences. Nonetheless, the division “may miss alternatives to lower upkeep price and enhance weapon system availability if predictive upkeep methods will not be totally carried out throughout the providers, as acceptable,” in accordance with the outcomes of an audit revealed Wednesday by the DOD Workplace of Inspector Basic (OIG).
The Pentagon’s first CBM+ coverage memorandum was issued in 2002 to put a path for implementation, after the deputy undersecretary of protection for logistics and materiel readiness directed {that a} new technique be launched to “enhance upkeep agility and responsiveness.” In 2007, the division issued instruction 4151.22, which required all navy models and DOD companies to contemplate CBM+ when deciding on upkeep processes and to implement it on current weapon methods the place possible.
That coverage was up to date through the years, together with in August 2020.
Now, Protection Division parts are directed to make use of CBM+ as a main technique for weapon lifecycle sustainment. This implies CBM+ ideas need to be “totally built-in within the Joint Capabilities Integration and Improvement System course of for all new weapon methods,” and in present weapon methods the place it’s doable and cost-effective.
The OIG performed this newest audit to determine how and whether or not the Pentagon tracked and shared insights on predictive upkeep and its results — and if related methods met preliminary objectives.
“Nonetheless, throughout the planning section, we recognized that the providers had not totally carried out predictive upkeep methods,” OIG officers wrote within the audit. “Subsequently, we amended our goal to find out the extent that the DOD had carried out predictive upkeep in accordance with steering.”
The evaluate was performed between January 2021 and January 2022.
In conferences with a number of DOD places of work and all navy branches, the OIG discovered that every service skilled numerous ranges of success with predictive and condition-based upkeep.
“Whereas the providers had not totally carried out predictive upkeep, they had been changing elements periodically based mostly on forecasts, utilizing software program and well being monitoring instruments to enhance condition-based upkeep (preventive), or enhancing predictive forecasts with pilot applications,” the watchdog stated.
The reviewers supplied a spread of examples reported by these they interviewed.
An Army official, for example, confirmed that the UH-60 Black Hawk transport helicopter is provided with software program that identifies when an element is exhibiting indicators of needing alternative. Army officers additionally beforehand labored with the workplace previously often called the Joint Synthetic Intelligence Middle to develop nascent algorithms for Black Hawk predictive upkeep.
Amongst different pursuits, Navy officers famous utilizing an evaluation and readiness instrument to establish elements going through degradations forward of full-on failures, for the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet.
Nonetheless, the OIG finally discovered that the Protection Division didn’t totally implement predictive upkeep on any current weapon system, develop complete strategic plans or insurance policies, have full visibility of its variety of CBM+ and predictive upkeep tasks, or introduce correct coaching. Challenges related to personnel tradition, funding and know-how have additionally contributed to those efforts not coming into full fruition by now, it famous.
“An [official from the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Materiel Readiness] said {that a} lack of high quality information is among the most important points hindering predictive upkeep implementation,” the audit stated.
It additional quoted a number of different service officers who flagged the necessity for information and AI-related enhancements.
“Service personnel throughout the DOD additionally famous {that a} lack of acceptable workforce skillsets, resembling information analysts to know the information and algorithms used to make upkeep forecasts, hindered implementation of CBM+ and predictive upkeep methods,” the audit stated.
The OIG made a number of suggestions to a few of the navy branches related to their particular wants and applications. Moreover, it directed the deputy assistant secretary of protection for materiel readiness to provide a mechanism to report and supply visibility of all the Pentagon’s CBM+ and predictive upkeep tasks and instruments, and to standardize a way to differentiate elements eliminated based mostly on these processes.
All suggestions have been agreed upon, besides one relating to coaching growth that continues to be unresolved, in accordance with the report.
