Introduction to ARMS
Sailors are a ship’s first line of defense against system failures. However, when an issue requires a topic expert (SME), repairs often should wait until a technician can travel to the ship. This might be time-consuming and dear. To address this issue, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) has developed the Augmented Reality Maintenance System (ARMS). ARMS enables sailors and SMEs to immediately address system failures and eliminate the necessity for costly travel.
How ARMS Works
ARMS is a distant viewing capability that connects deployed sailors with SMEs at warfare centers, in Regional Maintenance Centers, and other shoreside locations. Sailors wear a simplified AR headset that permits SMEs to watch and troubleshoot any shipboard systems in real time. The SMEs can see and listen to from the sailor’s viewpoint, and the sailors can pull up technical manual excerpts, maintenance requirement cards, 3D images, design models, or schematics to revive a system while the distant SMEs talk them through the method.
Recent Installations
The ARMS team recently installed the system on five Navy ships: USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), and USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The installation was accomplished in lower than every week, with support from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR). The team, led by NSWC PHD electronics engineer Matthew Cole and computer scientist Nick Bernstein, worked quickly to equip the ships with the newest hardware and software.
Benefits of ARMS
The advantages of ARMS are quite a few. It empowers sailors to repair problems quickly and keep their systems operating, saving money and time by averting the necessity for an SME to fly out to the ship for onboard technical assistance. According to NSWC PHD Commanding Officer Capt. Tony Holmes, "The biggest win on this case is that the sailor fixed the issue, not the external SME." ARMS capability goes to the center of enabling sailor self-sufficiency and keeping warships within the fight.
Future Developments
The ARMS team is repeatedly working to enhance the system. They are other potential headsets, including a 3D-printed alternative that the command’s Engineering Development Lab is developing. The team goals to make use of the technology to scale back the variety of visits command personnel make to ships to supply technical assistance. ARMS also can reduce the length of time NSWC PHD personnel spend aboard by diagnosing issues prematurely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ARMS is a game-changing technology that permits sailors and SMEs to work together to deal with system failures in real-time. The recent installations on five Navy ships mark a major milestone in the event of ARMS. As the system continues to evolve and improve, it’s prone to have a significant impact on the best way the Navy approaches maintenance and repair. With ARMS, sailors will have the option to repair problems quickly and efficiently, keeping their ships operational and prepared for motion.
