Program
Description
The United States Air Force (USAF) has found Electrical Signature Analysis
(ESA) technology to be effective for diagnostics on a particular type
of aircraft equipment. This program will expand the field of usage of
this technology to diagnose the condition of many types of equipment
on many different USAF aircraft using one universal hardware package
with many software modules. Payoffs will come in the form of increased
mission rates, maintenance cost savings, and improved safety due to
not losing critical electromechanical systems at inopportune times.
This approach will enable USAF maintenance personnel to collect electrical
signature information and to use it to improve their maintenance procedures.
The
Aging Aircraft Office (ASC/AAA) at Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base, in Ohio, is providing program management and funding
for the project. The Department of
Energy’s
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
is the developer of the universal hardware and software system and will
provide equipment, users manuals, and training for the initial five
units. The user will help identify electromechanical components to be
included in the initial project and will participate in the test and
acceptance of the final products.
UESAS
is being prototyped by ORNL in FY 2004. USAF major commands will select
critical components on which to collect electrical signature data in
FY 2005. In FY 2006, ORNL will develop analysis software for chosen
aircraft electromechanical systems.
Schedule
(3.33MB)