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In recent years, extended reality (XR) has emerged as a critical defense technology due to its capacity for helping to improve situational awareness and decision-making. XR blends virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality technologies to create an immersive, digital real-world experience.
Training a New Generation of Naval Technicians
While XR has a continually expanding range of defense applications that include mission planning, navigation, operations, and warfighting, it is primarily being used for training.
A 2020 study by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows that employees retain up to 80% of their knowledge one year after completing XR training, compared to 20% of knowledge retention after one week of traditional training.
With 86% of new recruits under the age of 34 being prolific gamers (U.S. Space Force), XR training is not only essential for long-term knowledge retention but also for engaging and retaining the next generation of sailors and technicians.
FM OnBoard, a mixed-reality tool developed by Fairbanks Morse Defense, provides an engaging tool for navies to train technicians on marine equipment. Using FM OnBoard, naval technicians can train in their actual working spaces directly with the equipment they are responsible for maintaining in a safe learning environment. The flexibility of FM OnBoard allows technicians to train on their own schedule at their own pace at any time and from anywhere in the world. Technicians simply put on a headset and begin a training program that includes a mix of instructional videos and engaging scenarios. Access to training manuals and other resources can also be accessed through the headset throughout the training process.
A significant advantage of FM OnBoard is that technicians no longer need to be experts on specific equipment. Training materials, drawings and blueprints, processes and procedures, instructional videos, manuals, and other resources can all be accessed through the FM OnBoard headset. If further support is needed, the on-site technician can use the headset to connect with a live, remote technical support resource, sharing real-time images and additional visual and digital information that will enable the remote technician to offer further guidance.
Updating Training and Maintenance
The lifecycle of a typical marine asset is 30-40 years, and within that timeframe, a lot can change. Maintenance procedures might be adjusted based on the age of an asset. New parts may replace obsolete OEM parts and require a different service process or schedule. New tools or technologies may be integrated that change the traditional way an asset is managed and maintained.
To account for the many reasons that training may change over time, FM OnBoard’s XR platform positions navies to provide updated modules and digital resources so that seasoned technicians can make the appropriate changes to their standard practices and new technicians can receive the most up-to-date training.
Maintaining Crewed Vessels
A case study by KognitivSpark demonstrates that using XR for maintenance and repair allowed technicians to resolve 60% of support issues without incurring the fees and travel costs for a specialist to come onsite. Further, equipment downtime was reduced by an average of 14-20 hours.
FM OnBoard allows for remote communication in real time between an onsite technician and a remote technical resource through a collaborative, hands-free experience. All parties participating in remote collaboration calls have access to system data in a shared virtual space, allowing technicians to multiply resources, troubleshoot, and complete repairs more efficiently from anywhere in the world.
For example, an on-site technician can share the visuals from their headset with a remote technician. In turn, remote support can provide specific work instructions in real-time to guide the on-site technician in relieving the issue. The process reduces the amount of time for diagnosis and repair, eliminates travel costs, and increases operational availability.
Anomaly Detection
As global navies augment their fleets with uncrewed vessels, it is becoming necessary to replace the regular monitoring, maintenance, and repair typically performed by humans with solutions that can be operated remotely. FM OnBoard’s XR technology is ideally suited for this purpose by capturing detailed data about anomalies that can expedite the ability to repair parts, plan, and shorten lead times.
Remote technicians can visualize assets on an uncrewed vessel using FM OnBoard, ensuring optimal performance. They can also remotely troubleshoot and make necessary digital adjustments to bring the assets back to standard performance. Over time, remote technicians utilize robotic arms or similar equipment onboard the uncrewed vessel, leveraging the FM OnBoard shared visual images to operate the robot and make necessary repairs.
In addition to remote monitoring, FM OnBoard’s technology uses machine learning to detect and report negative changes to asset performance that may not otherwise be observed. Over time, machine learning will identify patterns that indicate that an asset event is about to take place so that technicians can take preemptive action. This approach enhances operational readiness and minimizes the risk of unexpected breakdowns.
The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command recently contracted with Fairbanks Morse Defense to validate the mission readiness of FM OnBoard by implementing its anomaly detection system for the Fairbanks Morse Defense engine.
Technological innovation has an increasingly critical role in maritime defense strategy and operations, transforming the nature of warfare. By harnessing the power of XR through tools like FM OnBoard, navies can ensure the security and effectiveness of their future fleets.
