Date of Award

3-21-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Department

Department of Operational Sciences

First Advisor

Benjamin T. Hazen, PhD

Abstract

The United States Air Force (USAF) expends significant resources to address the rise in aviation mishaps derived from an overworked, understaffed maintenance community, and high operational environment. Currently, paper-based technical orders (T.O.) are utilized by maintainers to accomplish aircraft inspections, servicing, and maintenance tasks. As technology advances, many civilian agencies have begun to leverage augmented reality (AR) to improve organizational proficiency. This research seeks to identify if the inclusion of AR within aircraft maintenance will positively or negatively affect maintenance task accuracy and completion time. A single variable randomized complete block design (RCBD), within-subject design of experiment (DOE) asses the differences between a treatment group (AR-enabled T.O.) contrary to the control group (paper-based T.O.). Results conclude AR-enabled T.O.s designed from the AF perspective will reduce simple task errors, but will not impact total task completion time. Differentiation from prior findings, application specificity, will impact AR effectiveness and utilization within the organization employed. Additionally, experimental research revealed the need to address current AF infrastructure barriers before implementation of the technology within the organization.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENS-MS-19-M-121

DTIC Accession Number

AD1077392

Download

Share

COinS