SparkCognition Government Systems (SGS), a provider of trusted artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for defense and national security, announced today that it has been awarded a multi-year, $4.2 million contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
This contract expands SGS’ partnership with AFRL to deploy SGS’ AI-powered readiness solution, Digital Maintenance Advisor (DMA), for additional maintenance, resupply, and logistics use cases in support of the F-16 fleet and its operators. The contract continues initial efforts to address the critical shortage of skilled maintenance personnel while expanding DMA’s capabilities and value to present a comprehensive readiness solution that operators from the airline to headquarters can leverage.
After demonstrating the value of DMA on a targeted subset of the F-16 subsystems, the new contract extends the implementation of DMA to the entire aircraft and enables mandatory maintenance functions through the use of additional data sets. The contract expansion will also expand DMA’s ability to track, inform and forecast supply and demand planning for the F-16 fleet.
“This contract extension is a testament to the incredible work SGS has done developing DMA, and we are excited to continue our partnership with AFRL to further enhance our AI-enabled defense and national security solutions,” said Logan Jones, President and CEO of SGS.
Digital Maintenance Advisor uses cutting-edge AI, machine learning, and natural language processing to upskill maintenance personnel with prescriptive, predictive, dashboarding, and supply and inventory capabilities. As a full-spectrum readiness platform that delivers efficiencies and proficiency gains in maintenance, supply, and logistics, DMA focuses on the critical challenges facing Soldiers and Planners today, including:
Skill shortages and high operating speeds compound maintenance issues and delays
Parts shortages, obsolescence, and poor supply planning increase life cycle costs and decrease aircraft availability rates
Increased maintenance expenses crowd out investments in staff and new skills
“AFRL is pleased to expand our collaboration with SparkCognition Government Systems to bring innovative AI technology to our fighter jets and improve the readiness of our aeronautical assets,” said Elizabeth Loiacono, an industrial engineer at AFRL. “We’re excited about the powerful impact this collaboration will have on the F-16 fleet and beyond.”
“DMA helps junior maintenance workers know what to fix and how to fix it. It also helps program managers identify trends across the fleet to improve forecasting and planning of maintenance activities aligned with delivery availability,” Jones said. “At SGS, we believe that our country’s ability to win the next conflict depends on its ability to entertain, service, and supply its warfighters available to meet mission requirements at the moment of need.”
