Common understanding
	Ronald Durant and Martin Walsh profile DAL-P and its effect on army aviation
				This generation of soldiers has seen dramatic changes in our defence posture and doctrine: the end of the cold war, women in combat, highly sophisticated weapon systems, etc. But, with few exceptions, army aviation maintenance still uses methods put in place decades ago. Change is needed, and the US Army’s aviation applied technology directorate is responding with its digital aviation logistics – prototype (DAL-P) programme. Army aviation maintenance is a safety-driven process. As we digitise logistics and reduce operations costs, the biggest challenge is to employ advanced technologies and business process re-engineering to reduce costs without compromising high safety standards and mission effectiveness. There is no example for implementing a digital logistics system because army aviation’s unique operational mission involves maintaining sophisticated aircraft systems at high readiness in hostile environments. We must proceed carefully, working doctrinal and technological issues hand-in-hand. Rapid technological developments that have propelled us into the information age raise the question, where do we go from here? The US Army aviation community is struggling to find an answer. The aviation vision shows operational and political challenges, technological opportunities, and blurring of lines of responsibility within the support infrastructure. Army aviation is unique because hours flown per year, mostly in rotary-wing aircraft, are miniscule compared to commercial flyers, while operations conducted by US Army aircraft are in the harshest environments, the worst conditions, and required to remain ready all day every day. Missions are conducted from remote field sites with austere, local logistical support. In contrast with field operations, the infrastructure that provides logistical support in the sustainment base is immense, comparable with commercial operations. Army aviation has a unique operating environment full of opportunities for improvement, but no clear example of how logistics digitisation should proceed on the battlefield. Our vision for aviation must question the degree to which technology can provide solutions for army aviation support, given the army’s unique mission. Digital technology Army leadership agrees on the application of digital technology to maintenance and support processes. But this raises three questions: Are we ready to do it? Can we do it? What are the ramifications if we do it? The response to the first two is an overwhelming yes, the third is more ambiguous, calling into question responses to the other two. How do we apply digital technology? How do we develop digital information systems that can operate from fixed and remote sites in peacetime and in war? How do we set standards that allow interoperability between systems and allow developers to use state-of-the-art tools and development methodologies? How can we develop a system that takes advantage of the latest technology? In acknowledging these issues and responding to digitalisation, the US Army aviation applied technology directorate (AATD) has launched DAL-P, the culmination of over two years’ planning supported by the army aviation community and Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., the Boeing Company and Sikorsky Aircraft through the Rotorcraft Industry Technology Association (RITA). DAL-P will initiate an efficient, seamless, fully integrated digital aviation logistics (DAL) system from flight line to factory. It is the system of systems for army aviation built on legacy information systems and the global combat support system – army (GCSS-A). The goals are to reduce operation and support costs by introducing advanced technology and business process re-engineering (BPR); improve aviation logistics processes through digitisation, and act as a lead element for the army to achieve its 2010 goals in information-based logistics. DAL-P has a two-tiered approach for achieving these goals. The near-term (1999-2004) thrust concentrates on development and integration of disparate digital systems throughout the logistics infrastructure, providing a seamless and integrated automated maintenance support system. It is targeted at automating data collection, transmission and analysis in support of army aviation maintenance. The three reasons to concentrate on these are that we don’t collect information in a form that allows insight into the current maintenance processes; the aviation community is investing large amounts in developing and fielding digital maintenance aids that need direction; and most importantly, successful implementation of an automated unit-level maintenance system will provide relief to soldiers. DAL-P near-term initiatives are targeted at: Developing a unit-level information system architecture to provide a plan for integrating all disparate digital tools employed at unit level. Performing an aviation maintenance automatic identification technology (AIT) demonstration. AIT is being widely employed in supply and transportation. This will demonstrate the role AIT should play in our serial number tracking and aircraft configuration management processes to increase accuracy and decrease workload. Developing an advanced automated maintenance management capability by all army rotary wing aircraft. Its purpose will be to provide a tool for maintainers and maintenance managers to automate maintenance scheduling and record-keeping processes, and most likely will be targeted for the maintenance module of GCSS-A. Identifying sustainment base (wholesale management) information system requirements. We must ensure information needed by programme managers to manage weapon systems is collected at the unit and transmitted to appropriate personnel. Developing a structural usage monitoring system (SUMS) for the AH-64D Longbow Apache (LBA). DAL-P is developing methodology and flight regime recognition algorithms necessary to calculate stresses experienced by relevant components on LBA during flight. This can be used to change parts schedules based on actual usage vs standard flight hours, and for engineering analysis and cause/effect determinations. Developing army diagnostics and engine prognostics technology (ADEPT) for use on the T55-GA-714 engine. This is to demonstrate the feasibility of using data available on the full authority digital electronic control (FADEC) of the T55 engine to predict tolerance performance and to schedule maintenance. The methodology employed in ADEPT should be applicable to any engine that can provide the necessary data. Once these are achieved, DAL-P will concentrate on advanced uses of maintenance/logistics data and business process re-engineering (BPR). Concepts like flexible phase maintenance, anticipatory maintenance and fleet-level trending will be included, yielding significant cost reductions. Common understanding Through the association of helicopter manufacturers and the army aviation community, DAL-P is facilitating a common understanding while using the best ideas. It also promotes community buy-in, and breaks through the army’s stove-pipe mentality. By using fielded and developmental systems, DAL-P is making good use of resources and minimising time taken to get into the field. In a very challenging arena, it is sensible to develop concepts in a test-bed environment before fielding. DAL-P is the right programme for propelling army aviation maintenance well into the new century. ©
	DAL-P is facilitating a common understanding while using the best ideas.