Improving the Asset Management Program at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex

IMC-2019 Learning Session 37:11 minutes

by Larry Davis, USAF/Arnold Engineering Development Complex and David Hurst, National Aerospace Solutions

The Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) is an Air Force Test Center (AFTC) organization and an important national resource. The AEDC operates more than 55 aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, environmental chambers, ballistic ranges, sled tracks, centrifuges, and other specialized units at multiple operating locations. Due to the age, uniqueness of the test systems, and the non-production mode of operation; sustaining these national assets is a challenge.

The AEDC has been on a journey to improve reliability of ground test systems for decades. Beginning with a new operating contract in 2016, a more adventurous and widespread approach was initiated at the three operating locations beginning with implementation of a streamlined reliability-centered maintenance process and an item management program. As the program progressed, additional improvement programs were initiated including planning and scheduling, precision maintenance, and design for reliability/maintainability. With the addition of three new ground test operating locations to the AEDC portfolio; in mid- 2018 the AEDC Commander tasked the Test Systems Sustainment Division (TSS) with the responsibility for sustainment of the ground test infrastructure across the entire Complex. To support this additional responsibility the TSS used concepts from SMRP, AMP, and the Mobius Institute to develop a program that identified key asset management processes in a tiered model. This model became the basis for development of an asset management assessment tool which used industry best practices to establish a baseline assessment of the asset management program at each location. Analysis of the assessments allowed the construct of a strategic roadmap for each location. The presentation presents a brief overview of the AEDC, documents the improvement program model, presents some implementation results, and provides a look at the path forward to apply these best practices across all operating locations of the AEDC.