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Press Release |
31st August 2000 |
| AeI delivers WAH-64 Apache Ground Support System. |
|
Aerosystems International and its partners
have successfully delivered the WAH-64 Apache Ground Support
System (GSS) to GWHL for use by the British Army. The project
has been completed on time and in line with the aircraft
build programme. Developed under the principles of the UK MoD SMART Procurement initiative, the Apache GSS consists of a Maintenance Data System (MDS), Mission Planning System (MPS) and Map Data Preparation Facility (MDPF). The WAH-64 Apache is the first British Army Aircraft to have a fully digitised support system and brings significant business benefit to the British Army by removing the paperwork overhead, introducing greater flexibility in data distribution and reducing the Aircraft turnaround time. Coupled with the Integrated Electronic Technical Publications (IETP) provided by Boeing, the WAH-64 Apache MDS provides the British Army with the capability to manage the maintenance cycle and collect logistics performance data.
The MDS interfaces to the AirCraft Computerised Equipment Support System (ACCESS), developed by Aerosystems under contract to the British Army, and passes logistics performance data into the British Army ILS domain for asset management and A, R&M analysis. In line with Strategic Defence Review recommendation for greater battlefield digitisation, the MPS provides the British Army with the capability to electronically plan a mission, overlaying intelligence and routing data on to digital maps. The MPS has a full aircraft performance model enabling missions to be accurately planned based on aircraft configuration. Through the use of a data cartridge, mission data can be uploaded to the aircraft and intelligence data can be passed back. The data cartridge is the same device used by the MDS. Map digitisation is achieved using the MDPF, enabling multi-source map data to be loaded on to the MPS. The GSS will go into full service in April 2000 and will initially be operated in parallel with the existing paper system to ensure a successful transition in to the user domain. This delivery represents a major achievement for Aerosystems International and its partners DRS and SAIC Inc, and is a significant success for British Industry. Note to Editors: Aerosystems International, jointly owned by GKN Aerospace and BAE SYSTEMS, was formed in 1985 for the sole purpose of developing aerospace systems and software, combining the avionics and systems expertise of GKN Westland with the software and project management skills of BAeSEMA. For further information please contact: Emma
Taylor |
The
aircraft maintainers are able to download usage and failure
data from the aircraft via a data cartridge. From this data
the MDS determines the maintenance action required (scheduled
or immediate), generates the necessary Work Orders, tracks
the status of the work orders, collects information on spares
usage and controls the sign-off process. An aircraft state
board is provided for up to 16 aircraft on a single MDS.
