METRON INCORPORATED — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N151-056

Description

As unmanned vehicles (UxVs) become an increasingly integral part of the US Navy, prevention and mitigation of system failures are becoming increasingly critical challenges. During operations, UxVs should be capable of self-monitoring, taking corrective actions, and, where possible, notifying remote human operators of faults. At the same time, operators should have access to data and prognostic models that enable effective conditions-based maintenance and use planning. For RMMV, Metron Inc. will develop a multi-faceted prognostic health solution integrating software systems for condition reporting and fault detection with advanced prognostic modeling. For prognostic modeling, data on failures, degradation, and stressors collected through testing, maintenance, and during operations will be combined with physical and/or empirical models. For fault monitoring, conditions data will be collected autonomously during operations and be available to on-board systems and off-board operators. Off-board analysis tools will then enable visual and quantitative assessments, while on-board mitigation software will enable continued operations under degrading, but non-catastrophic, faults. Overall, this RMMV health solution will ensure system reliability and availability are maximized, maintenance and repair schedules are optimized, and failures experienced during operations are effectively managed.