Case Study - Army, EMS Next Generation

Case Studies

Oshkosh — HIMARS
Oshkosh — LVSR
Oshkosh — FHTV
Harris — 52 Mod
Army — Red River Army Depot
Army — NextGen EMS
Army — EMS-2
Mobilized Systems, Inc.

Case Study — Army, Next Generation EMS

O'Neil & Associates is taking EMS into the future:

In August 2003, O'Neil & Associates was awarded a $16.2 million, five-year contract from the U.S. Army TACOM to develop the Next Generation, Interactive Electronic Maintenance System (EMS) for U.S. Army trucks and tactical vehicles. The contract provided for the maintenance and update of the existing EMS system, while at the same time migrating EMS to a Web-based, Mil-Spec-compliant environment. The Next Generation EMS transformed the previous version of the application into a Web-centric environment that enhances current functionalities and provides for greater interoperability with other systems well into the future. EMS NextGen is process-driven and built around an object-based and open source code system, as free as possible from proprietary hooks.

The Next Generation EMS utilizes the high-bandwidth, Internet-connected world to improve not only the delivery of maintenance, but also improve the picture of situational awareness created by the maintenance impact on combat readiness. It plays an important role in the transition to embedded diagnostics for future tactical hardware.

In April 2009, O’Neil & Associates received a follow-on, $30 million, five-year contract from the U.S. Army TACOM to provide complete System Technical Support for all EMS NextGen products and activities.

Some of the features include:

Web-based authoring portal and IETM displayed in a common Web browser
Cross platform capability, Windows-Linux
Link directly to ULLS-G and GCSS-A to enable repair parts ordering and support of predictive/preventive maintenance
XML conformance to DoD MIL-STD 2361C
Data export capability compliant with MIL-STD-3008A, MIMOSA
Compliance with frame-based requirements of MIL-STD-40051-1/2
Hyperlinking ability from troubleshooting to maintenance to parts data
Collect and store maintenance and troubleshooting data
Platform agnostic intrusive diagnostic capability

Our EMS NextGen contract represents the next phase in the evolution of the EMS solution. Released in early 2006, NextGen is a complete product information support system that utilizes World Wide Web technology to enhance the productivity and effectiveness of logisticians throughout all activities engaged during the life cycle of an asset.

There are three core components to the EMS NextGen system, all based on MIL-STD 2361C:

First is the content development component, which is compromised of a Web-based, guided authoring system, used to author Mil-Spec-compliant IETM and RPSTL data and a resource import module that enables asset managers to reuse previously developed data.
The second component is the Content Management System (CMS) representing the backbone of the NextGen system. The CMS comprises work flow, warehouse, packaging, and publishing modules. At runtime, the CMS receives data from the content development component and validates its authenticity, as well as its compliance to specifications and guidelines. The CMS also harmonizes the data with existing data stored in the CMS to ensure there is no duplication. This key step in the process streamlines production. The CMS packaging and publishing modules react on demand to prepare data which could be a portion or an entire IETM's content with all its necessary support tools for presentation to the end user.
The third component is the presentation component. This component has the task of interacting with the end user to issue on-demand requests to the CMS and present the data in any one of the supported final media outputs such as paper, CD, or Web browser.

NextGen provides a number of advantages over current product information support systems:

For the logisticians and asset managers, it provides a client light, open source, modular architecture that is easy to maintain. It also enables them to reuse and repurpose data which reduces cost.
The distribution and configuration management efforts are also greatly enhanced by the use of Web-based distribution channels and the elimination of duplicate validation processes.
For the end user, it provides multiple presentation choices, a proven, nonproprietary, user-friendly browsing environment, and the ability to quickly access the latest available information.

Using EMS NG offers several advantages to the U.S. military:

It is a proven system that will generate XML content as required for most Government applications. It already complies with US Army guidelines and specifications, MIL-STD-40051-1 and -2 and MIL-STD-2361C.
It can output mil-spec compliant paper- or screen-based content from the same data source.
It supports multiple service branch requirements (Army, USMC)
EMS NG’s XML files enable the Government to maintain the technical manuals throughout the hardware’s life cycle.

In addition to creating paper TMs and IETMs, this system contains state-of-the-art intrusive diagnostics, enabling it to produce powerful IETMs where applicable. These IETMs are able to communicate with the hardware’s electronically controlled subsystems multiple SAE protocols.

As the developer, we have been using EMS NG for years to create TMs and IETMs for a variety of military vehicles and systems. We have also been involved in converting the publications for a number of tactical vehicles to EMS NG. A select list of platforms using EMS NG includes:

IETMs

All-Terrain Lifter, Army System II (ATLAS II)
Bradley Fighting Vehicle System (BFVS)
Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV)
Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT)
High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)
M1A1 Abrams Tank System
Palletized Load System (PLS)

Page-Based TMs

Armored Security Vehicle (ASV)
Hydraulic Excavator (HYEX)
M172, M870, and M872 Series Semitrailers
M967, M969, and M970 Series 5K Tankers