Technology and Tank Maintenance

Since our triumph in the Gulf War, one can no longer doubt the Abrams’ superior technology. However, this technology has created a logistical burden (fueling and fixing) which maneuver commanders often consider troublesome. HEm fuelers have helped quench the Abms’ insatiable thirst for fuel. However, the Abrams’ technology continues to challenge our mechanics. Thus, in addition to quality training, they deserve sophisticated, yet user-friendly, equipment to maintain the fleet. As an Armor officer assigned to Directorate of Combat Developments (DCD), U. S. Army Ordnance Center and School (USAOC&S), I’m witnessing efforts to assure readiness of this formidable but complex system.

The Ordnance maintenance vision emphasizes maximizing e opemtional readiness of battlefield systems.’ This vision also emphasizes employing appropriate technology to accomplish the mission. Hence, DCD’s Knowledge Engineering Group (KEG) won grants from Strategic Logistics AgenCY (SLA) and Headquarters, Department of the Army to develop expert systems, to teach mechanics diagnostic skills.

Expert systems Defined Expert systems employ human knowledge captured in computers to solve problems that ordinarily require! human expertise. They can be used by nonexperts to improve their problem-solving capabilities? Expert systems are applicable to maintenance operations because they spread a wealth of knowledge among junior and senior mechanics. This means that skilled maintenance supervisors and technicians, who already are too few, now render advice as necessary instead of having to constantly monitor junior mechanics’ diagnoses and repairs. An expert system consists of two main elements: a knowledge base and an inference engine. The knowledge base is the assimilation of information related to a specific field. The inference engine represents the “brain” of the expert system: it performs the reasoning function. This paper discusses potential knowledge bases. Understanding the inference engine’s methodology is beyond the scope of this paper.

KEG Expert Systems KEG is working on two Abrams-related expert systems, both in prototype stages of development. The first is the Diagnostic Intelligent Tutoring System (DITS); the other is the Turbine Engine Diagnostics (TED). DITS is a prototype distributive training software package for maintenance personnel. Its purpose is to sustain the perishable diagnostic skills of both Active and Reserve Components direct support (DS) mechanics. DITS is unique compared to other training programs; it provides the mechanic an appropriate level and amount of diagnostic and trouble-shooting training, based on an analysis of his or her skills, experience, and leaning style. In other words, each mechanic re- ARMOR - 45 - CTS 111 diagnostic computer, above, which is linked to the tank engine by a 1 =-pin connector through an RS-232 port Connectors (Photo8 murtssy of S-ic Copmbm -1 and circuit boards are at right. e 1 ceives a tailored software program. DITS also serves as a management tool. It affords supervisors the opportunity to access a soldier’s file to monitor his or her progress, strengths, and weaknesses.

The first DITS was developed using troubleshooting procedures for Abrams’ Thermal Imaging Sight (TIS) as the knowledge base proof-of-principle. To validate the contractor’s expert system, a subsequent prototype is being developed using troubleshooting procedures for the AGT-1500 engine as the knowledge base.

Complementing DITS, TED teaches direct support mechanics how to diagnose and repair a specific system: the AGT-1500 turbine engine. It provides troubleshooting, repair procedures, and parts ordering capability that are not otherwise currently available. The focus is on performing a pre-shop analysis and a system health check on a Full-Up Power Pack (JWPP). Once its operational condition is determined, the system will conduct a fault diagnosis. Based upon the diagnosis, the mechanic will be guided through ordering and repair procedures?

The repair procedures incorporate an electronic tech,nical manual (see below), provide an estimated time required to repair, delineate what MOS is needed to perform the repair, and list any special tools or Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) required? Like DITS, TED is tailored to the individual. TED accomplishes this by incorpomting three levels of expertise: expert, novice, and apprentice. It also facilitates user inteaface via HOW, WHY, HELP, and TOOLS buttons.

Other InRlathm Two additional projects, although not expert systems, still incorporate technology to enhance the force. They include the Automatic Breakout Box (ABOB) and the Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM). ABOB is a Breakout Box (BOB), which is currently fielded with the Abrams and Bradley-series vehicles, modified with a circuit card. KEG and Army Research Laboratmy (ARL) jointly developed it and have submitted it for a U. S. patent.

ABOB provides the linkage between the vehicle being diagnosed and the CTS III by converting analog data to digital data. The device automates the manual tasks of taking separate digital multimeter readings, performing mathematical calculations, and analyzing the readings, significance via a text-based diagnostic flow chart. Using a personal computer (PC), ABOB can select any of BOB’S 128 pins and report its voltage to the PC in a fraction of a second?

IETM was scanned by Hercules Defense Electronics Systems Corporation. By assuring its proprietay software, we were able to profit from its work for the Navy’s Aegis class cruisers. We use the Battlefield Damage Assessment and Repair (BDAR) Manual as a proof of principle for soldier validation. It offers numerous advantages over paper manuals. These include quicker access to information, instant page flipping, weight reduction, lower cost of manual production and distribution, and less paper storage.

DITS, TED and IETM function on a Contact Test Set (CTS) I& no new hardware is required. But the system requires a 386/486 computer running Microsoft Windows 3.1 with at least 4 h4B of RAM and 80 MB hard drive. These represent only a few of the ideas that the KEG has developed since receiving its charter in 1991. While they focus on the maintenance of the Abrams, they also represent a pioneering effort to use expert systems in other areas of training. It is key that we remain on the cutting edge of technology within our force projection Army.