Design methodology and simulation of a fleet management system for an advanced helicopter platform

This research is part of a major helicopter acquisition and upgrade program of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) under a 20+ year strategic plan. The ‘Air 9000’ program aims to rationalise the number of helicopter types operated, simplify operational requirements and reduce through-life-support costs.
This research program developed and modelled a Fleet Management System (FMS) for the newly acquired Multi-Role Helicopter-90 (MRH-90 / NHI NH-90) platform. It assessed current practices in aerospace technology management of civil and military aircraft fleets, and established requirements of civil & military rotary-wing platforms for the development of a fleet management methodology for the MRH-90 platform.
A novel approach was adopted by applying systems engineering principles to design the FMS. The systems engineering approach enabled identification and implementation of the additional rotary-wing design parameters, required for system adaptability to future network-centric military & civil operational environments from a life-cycle perspective.
This approach has resulted in the development and implementation of an adaptable prototype FMS software with integrated fleet management capabilities. Subsequent simulation & validation demonstrated significant enhancements in operational effectiveness over state-of-the art rotary-wing fleet management practices, by holistically and systematically addressing the present and future system needs of helicopter life-cycle management.