1. Winner 2008 Great Ideas Competition at Maintenance Symposium
Forward units do not have the capability to assess fluid quality on demand for the determination of asset usability.
In-the-field assessment of fluid quality (lubricant, hydraulics, transmission):
Expeditionary force fluid analysis capability
On-the-spot decision tool for field maintainers
Condition-based maintenance of deployed weapon systems.
CTMA Investment - $1.2M; Industry Cost Share - $2.7M
Fast Field Fluid Assessment Tools (3FAST) Enables fluid analysis in the field and condition-based maintenance of weapon systems
Application by Armed Services:
DoD Benefits
CTMA Sponsored:
Joint Oil Analysis Program Technical Support Center
Army Oil Analysis Program wheeled tactical vehicles and field test evaluation with the Army National Guard
Army Aviation (Redstone Arsenal) test planning and evaluation.
Letterkenny Army Depot Field test evaluation for aviation ground power unit.
NAVAIR Pax River test evaluation.
US Marine Corps PM-LAV user evaluation at Camp Pendleton.
Activity Sponsored:
US Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment field test evaluation in Iraq
Marine Wing Support Group 472 field test evaluation in Iraq
Potential:
All fluid wetted components that require a periodic inspection
Level 1 Benefits:
$3 M/year from reduced centralized oil testing
$4-6M/year cost savings from reduced use of fluids and disposal
$6M/year from the ensured use of correct fluid types in components
$3M/year from reduced logistics/supply chain in theater
Level 2/3 Benefits:
Estimated $100+ million in savings in Army Aviation and Air Force implementation of handheld technology used on all applicable platforms (estimated by DoD IPT).
Winner 2008 Great Ideas Competition at Maintenance Symposium