Closed Loop Knowledge System (CLKS)

This paper will provide information about the benefits of the closed loop knowledge system (CLKS). CLKS is based on a robust warehouse-based data repository and support tools where data access, storage and predictive data mining exploitation can be obtained from a web interface which will enable better decision support for war fighters. Knowledge engineering and analysis of the data required to maintain military aircraft, including supported logistics elements, is complex and time consuming. Access to system requirements (process flows, schematics, etc) needed to support the development and use of smart diagnostics can be minimal. Historical data can provide a valuable resource for supporting integrated diagnostics including development, sustainment, maturation, knowledge transfer, and troubleshooting. Effective use of this information will help evolve the traditional support equipment role into a broader support systems knowledge engineer function. The major benefit of a CLKS is easy access to aircraft data needed to support various user analysis needs. Capabilities include diagnostics authoring, failure monitoring, maintenance adjusting, and technician/analyst support at all maintenance levels. The CLKS provides a solid foundation for the initial authoring and later maturing of fault isolation and diagnostics. Data warehousing, reporting and mining capability, coupled with an organized diagnostics authoring system, will help verify and validate rules needed to drive troubleshooting and maintenance support. As historical data is captured and analyzed, improvements to aircraft system hardware and software can be identified as well as directing maintenance during the troubleshooting process. Having access to applicable engineering data at the time of need will: decrease troubleshooting time on production aircraft; increase the ability of the technical user to better understand the diagnostics; reduce ambiguities which drive false removals of system components; decrease misallocated spares; and increase knowledge management. The CLKS keeps every engineer informed and maintains a baseline of domain information important to the success of the team.