ESSENTIAL AERO LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: AFX234-DCSO2

Description

Airmen maintain F-35’s and other USAF aircraft on a ramp thousands of feet away – up to 10 minutes each way –from the supply warehouses and centralized (specialty) toolkits, ferrying tools and parts as needed. The Maintainer must anticipate all possible scenarios at each departure from the air shop to the ramp for the maintenance task. This requires significant planning (time), a high level of parts/tools duplication (money) across Maintainers and has not proven to eliminate trips back to the air shop or warehouse (manpower). Each time the Airman leaves the aircraft ramp to retrieve a needed item, all parts and tools must be inventoried, logged, and locked. On average, this can take approximately 15 minutes prior to even leaving the aircraft. Every. Single. Time. The Essential Aero Ramp Runner eliminates trips to the warehouse for supplies. The Ramp Runner brings the aircraft and warehouse closer together. A completely automated industrial grade robot, the Ramp Runner can be programmed to deliver tools and aircraft parts to mechanics and other personnel on the aircraft ramp. Designed to operate in all weather conditions, it can carry 100 lbs. and tow 200 lbs., and operate for 15 hours on a single charge.  The Ramp Runner can be outfitted with locked and/or open bins, and a trailer for oversized heavier parts or tool chests, enabling a mechanic to continue working without distraction. Our solution can eliminate unanticipated trips to the warehouse, keeping valued Airmen on task for the entirety of a maintenance event. Aircraft maintenance is complete in less time. As the DoD takes a critical look at Defense spending for potential conflicts, USAF aircraft are mission-ready in less time with more than $10 million saved by Luke AFB annually.  If deployed system-wide, the Ramp Runner could save the USAF $100’s of millions annually.