SME Connect

Extensible SOLUTION for Remote Maintenance

TAF’s SME Connect allows experts from depots or vendors to directly interact with shipboard personnel to perform troubleshooting and repairs. Our SME Connect platform supports the Navy’s need to perform maintenance operations underway and from austere bases while deploying complex weapons systems. Against peer adversaries that disrupt our logistical tail and require ships to operate on their own, SME Connect provides the embarked crew access to the best engineering resources to undertake complex repairs and create field expedient repairs that are safe and effective.

TurnAround Factor’s (TAF) SME Connect solution allows sailors and marines at remote locations to receive engineering assistance and remote support from engineers and artisans at the Engineering Support Activities (ESAs) and Fleet Readiness Centers.


TAF uses Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Augmented Reality (AR) devices to allow on-site users to interact with remote experts. The system provides remote access to specialized tools and diagnostics by the remote expert(s) while in use by the on-site user. TAF’s flexible framework for the system allows new tools to be added easily and allow a range of maintenance processes further forward. This approach minimizes initial specialized equipment and allows the Navy to hit the ground running with immediate “wins” of new capabilities and operational efficiencies.


TAF used a combination of COTS tools and custom software built with COTS and open source libraries to build a remote work solution that is scalable to meet the Navy’s future needs, sustainable to maintain and improve, and extensible to easily incorporate additional tools.

CONOPS

The concept of operations is simple: TAF uses existing networks and COTS hardware such as the Microsoft HoloLens AR headset and the Apple iPad, to connect folks shipboard and in OCONUS to engineers and artisans who use a web browser to join an AR video call. TAF can also connect tools such as borescopes, micrometers, and test sets directly into the call so that remote experts can help guide the sailor to use them and directly capture the output.


  • Each shipboard kit ships with an AR-enabled iPad and Embedded Node in a single pelican case

  • Can be paired with USB tools or USB-enablement kits shipped alongside

  • Connects to cloud infrastructure over WiFi, Ethernet, or Starlink

  • Remote experts use Web browser interface (no software install required) to join support session

Operational Need

As weapons systems have become more complex the number of repairs that can be performed at the Organizational and Intermediate level has decreased. These weapons systems are critical to readiness and mission success.


In peacetime we send tech reps and depot teams to assist troubleshooting and perform repairs, but against peer adversaries that disrupt our logistical tail and require ships to operate on their own the Navy will need the ability for organizational maintenance personnel to repair mission critical weapons systems.


The Navy requires solutions that allow ships and units to operate independently and conduct diagnostics and repair while underway and in austere locations.

The Tech

TAF’s SME Connect allows experts from the depots or vendors to directly interact with shipboard personnel to perform troubleshooting and repairs. Our SME Connect solution supports the Navy’s need to perform maintenance operations underway and from austere bases while deploying complex weapons systems. Against peer adversaries that disrupt our logistical tail and require ships to operate on their own, SME Connect provides the embarked crew access to the best engineering resources to undertake complex repairs and create field expedient repairs that are safe and effective.

Warfighter Value

  • Increases the capabilities of shipboard personnel without additional training or complex repair manuals

  • Provides expert advice without the lag time of travel to the site, saving time and money

  • Operates in contested environments without requiring the ship or aviation asset to be reachable by support teams or tech reps

  • Minimal onboard footprint that leverages existing tools and infrastructure

  • Open architecture to support additional tools or interface with other systems


Contact us at info@turnaroundfactor for more information about how SME Connect can help your orginization conduct maintenence more quickly and cost-effectively, or to integrate your specific tool-suite(s).