MIKROS SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE SUPPORT
SUCCESS IS WELL DOCUMENTED
Sailors conducting maintenance and repairs take
pride in making sure things work. But the job isn’t
done until the paperwork is complete. That’s why
a Pennsylvania company is helping sailors to better plan,
execute and document maintenance.
According to Henry Silcock, Chief Technology Officer
for Mikros Systems Corporation in Fort Washington, PA,
Mikros has created systems to both streamline the process
of planned maintenance and support Condition-Based
Maintenance (CBM+) for shipboard combat system
elements.
“We’re a pretty good SBIR success story,” said Silcock. “We
have received close to 30 SBIR awards, including multiple
Phase II and Phase III awards.”
The Navy’s decades-old Preventive Maintenance System
(PMS) relies on paper schedules, and maintenance record
cards (MRCs) with detailed instructions on how to perform
and document regular maintenance. Now Mikros has
developed an IT-based systematic approach to PMS for the
AEGIS Weapon System (AWS) and SPY-1 radars on Navy
combatants.
“The AN/PSM-132 Adaptive Diagnostic Electronic Portable
Testset (ADEPT) Maintenance Automation Workstation has
everything a Sailor needs for preventative maintenance in
one portable enclosure,” said Silcock. “It will select and
configure the appropriate instrument for an applicable
test, and provide the pass-or-fail result. ADEPT provides
an automated testing process that improves the accuracy,
precision, and speed of AEGIS preventative maintenance.
It maintains a database of all testing to provide trend or
comparative analysis, and an audit trail if required.”
ADEPT systems are currently deployed on all AEGIS CG
and DDG platforms to support the SPY-1 radar. A planned
enhancement to provide remote support to the AEGIS
MK 99 Fire Control System is being developed in collaboration
with IBM, working as a subcontractor to Mikros.
This effort is a great example of how the Navy’s SBIR/
STTR program, working with small businesses, can
bring new solutions to address longstanding and critical
challenges that impact the sustainment of key systems on
warfighting platforms. Mikros has already received over
$100 million in contracts as a result of its SBIR effort,
and is expected to have a similar positive impact on other
systems throughout the fleet.
As the system proved its value, Mikros worked with the
Naval Surface Warfare Centers at Dahlgren, Crane, and
Port Hueneme to extend ADEPT to support other radar
variants and developed a logistics support suite for
surface combatants. Through a separate SBIR, Mikros
developed a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) maintenance
application by adding the AN/SYM-3 ADEPT Distance
Support Sensor Suite (ADSSS).
ADSSS is a condition-based maintenance system that
uses smart sensors, model-based prognostics and secure
networks to implement condition-based maintenance
for mission-critical complex distributed systems. The
system is being installed aboard the Navy’s LCS. The first
product installation was completed last year, with six more
scheduled over the next two years.
“There are three things required for SBIR success for
Phase 1 proposals,” said Silcock, “a good idea; a good
story; and good prospects for follow-on work. The ‘good
idea’ applies new or new-ish technologies to the problem.
The good story explains your past experience with similar
technologies. And third, your good prospects take into
consideration what happens after you succeed in Phase I
and your strategy for a production program in the future.”
Silcock said it’s vital to understand the customer context
for the requirement. “Check out the Program Office and
the designated contacts - you will need to get to know
them.”
“Try to provide something tangible at the end of Phase
1, not just a paper report; but, a working prototype or a
virtual demo.” he said. “This greatly increases your chances
of Phase 2 funding.”
For later phases, Silcock advises companies to think ahead
and to keep transition in mind. “What is your end-game?
Evaluate how the requirement aligns with your corporate
goals - would you invest in it yourself? Get feedback from
prospective users as you develop your technology. Keep
production in mind, and identify sources of matching
funds. Consider non-functional requirements, such as
environmental, ruggedness, and tailoring. Anticipate the
plan for product support and the logistics tail, as well as,
the certification and accreditation needs. Know what
you will need for information assurance and meeting any
classification society requirements.”
While the Navy business is thriving, Silcock said Mikros
is leveraging the SBIR investment to bring its technology
to a broader market. “We’re accelerating our transition
efforts. We’re developing new variants for different
classes of ships and systems. And we’re looking at the
commercial world to see how we can apply the same
concept to complex industrial systems, such as HVAC for
building management, air traffic control and power utility
applications.”
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