A modality-independent approach for automating maintenance instructions to include virtual and human modeling

Current technologies and capabilities exist to develop an automation process for technical data, enabling single-point access to logistics, training and maintenance data in varying formats, media, and configurations; which will support a graceful migration towards a digital logistics information environment suitable for both DoD and commercial development of ATE and weapon systems. The rapidly evolving visual, modeling, automation and multimedia technologies, as they pertain to technical automation and training information systems will provide a baseline for the development of new congruent technologies resulting from an Integrated Development Environment Model (IDEM). These new technologies will provide for transparent access to heterogeneous data sources, automatically deriving data for maintenance, logistics and other related activities, allowing for significant efficiency gains, improved qualify, and reduced time required to create technical and training data. IDEM will allow systems designers to accomplish system design documents, repair data, and training segments in one, on-line, multimedia program. By automating and integrating tasks that by design, are labor intensive, slow to develop, error-prone, and a duplication of effort, systems developers will save time, resources and real dollars while attaining a higher quality, more versatile product.