Embedded diagnostics enable military ground vehicle

The DoD has initiated programs to modernize logistics practices and processes. Among them is the requirement to build and deploy autonomic logistics (AL). AL is necessary to provide a focused and tailored logistics response to area of operations (AO). It is based upon knowing status, condition and health of all combat equipment in the AO. Embedded sensors monitor levels of consumables (fuel, ammo, water) and condition (health of components, subsystems and systems) and report those through the logistics operational architecture to Global Combat Support Systems (GCSS) and Global Command Control Systems (GCCS). Autonomic logistics fills the critical gap of interpreting, assimilating and synchronizing data from individual platforms into aggregated and actionable calls for supply, support and maintenance. Embedded diagnostics plays a critical role as an enabler for autonomic logistics and is the subject of this article.