To load software onto the Apache Longbow Crew Trainers, technicians needed seven days and 27 diskettes. Now, thanks to a new software loading process, just one USB flash drive and 2-3 days are needed to make updates. These trainers, located on military bases around the world, are used by pilots and crew to practice aircraft procedures and rehearse missions.
Why it matters: The new automated software eliminates the need for the time-consuming and resource-intensive task of manually loading every system on the trainer.
Implementation of the new process has several significant impacts:
- Cost savings: By reducing the software loading period from seven days to just 2-3 days, the process cuts down on labor costs and resource usage.
- Improved efficiency: Using just a single USB drive instead of 27 diskettes streamlines operations and minimizes physical media requirements.
- Enhanced performance: The ability to tailor the deployment to load only selected systems improves system performance and reduces downtime.
- First-time quality: The automated nature of the process ensures consistency and quality, reducing errors typically associated with manual loading.
The big picture: Faster loading times and improved reliability enhance client experience and satisfaction. Customers experience a seamless transition with minimal disruption, which is crucial in maintaining operational continuity.
- The technical achievement creates loading solutions tailored to scenarios from 35 trainers and 34 hardware configurations utilizing one USB. The system identifies specific components for each, builds a customized loading solution, and automatically loads it for the user.
- Customized deployment ensures that only necessary systems are updated, providing flexibility and precision in software management.
What they’re saying:
- “Utilizing automation for software loading greatly impacts the speed to load a trainer and reduces the quality defects. By implementing automated loading, we can better serve our customer by executing retrofits more efficiently for faster delivery,” said Alex Novak, program manager, Apache Government Training (Domestic).
- “Automated loading is a solution that allows us to not only become more effective, but also efficient. We are significantly cutting down on time, ultimately allowing the customer to begin training pilots again, and increasing the customers satisfaction with the reliability of the software upgrades they are receiving,” said Jeb Johnson, software engineer.
What’s next: Engineering teams will formalize the automatic system process with the aim to standardize its application and further enhance capabilities.
- Through continuous improvement and leveraging feedback from trainers and customers the team looks to refine the process and explore additional automation opportunities.
By Glynnis Richard
Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
