The US Navy has integrated a remote assistance solution into five warships to optimize their onboard sustainment operations.
Called the Augmented Reality Maintenance System (ARMS), the technology enables coordination between sailors and shore-based subject matter experts to address system failures of a vessel and associated travel costs.
The suite includes augmented reality headgear with optical and audio feed for experts to talk warfighters through damage and repair processes in real-time.
The device can be used to pull up virtual technical manuals, 3D images, design models, schematics, and maintenance cards for restoring shipboard systems.
Vessels installed with the ARMS capability include the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), and USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
The Naval Surface Warfare Center – Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD), which led the ARMS development, said that the installation took less than a day while training associated teams.
The guided missile destroyers and the aircraft carrier docked simultaneously for a one-week period in San Diego to complete the installations.
“Sailors are by trade operators and maintainers of their warships,” NSWC PHD Commanding Officer Capt. Tony Holmes said.
“It’s never a matter of if, but when, systems aboard a ship will require some sort of troubleshooting and/or corrective maintenance to keep them operating. If outside help is required to resolve an issue, and that issue can be resolved by over-the-shoulder assistance via ARMS, that is a good thing.”
