This paper describes the establishment of a real-time link of engine status information between the M1 Abrams tank and logistics maintainers at the battalion and brigade level. The system in the tank is called TED On-Board (TOB) and is an extension of a currently fielded (off board) diagnostic system called TED (Turbine Engine Diagnostics).

( ) is a diagnostic expert system to aid the M1 Abrams tank mechanic find-and-fix problems in the AGT-1500 turbine engine. was designed to provide the apprentice mechanic with the ability to diagnose and repair the turbine engine like an expert mechanic. The expert system was designed and built by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School. This article discusses the relevant background, development issues, reasoning method, system overview, test results, return on investment, and fielding history of the project. Limited fielding began in 1994 to select U.S. Army National Guard units and complete fielding to all M1 Abrams tank maintenance units started in 1997 and will finish by the end of 1998. The Army estimates that will save roughly $10 million a year through improved diagnostic accuracy and reduced waste. The development and fielding of the program represents the Army's first successful fielded maintenance system in the area of AI. Several reasons can be given for the success of the program: an appropriate domain with proper scope, a close relationship with the expert, extensive user involvement, and others that are discussed in this article.

Developers of expert system technologies often struggle with the problem of how best to couple the art of knowledge acquisition and knowledge engineering into a useable system. When combined properly, the results obtained are outstanding (as evidenced by the numerous successful systems produced in medicine, finance, and other disciplines). On the other hand, when uniting these processes does not occur properly, no amount of money or time can stay the ultimate outcome-a system whose results fall short of the expected benefits and trigger the dreaded trying-and-failing syndrome. For a team of scientists from the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the US Army Ordnance Center and School (OC&S), trying and failing was never an option. The Ordnance School's Directorate of Combat Development assigned the team the task of developing an expert diagnostic system to troubleshoot and repair the Army's Abrams main battle tank. The system, known as TED (turbine engine diagnostics), gives Army tank mechanics the ability to effectively and efficiently diagnose faults, perform necessary repairs, order parts, validate serviceability, and maintain necessary maintenance records. It also provides a comprehensive online tutorial suite. The TED program became the first successful Army program to combine technologies from artificial intelligence with maintenance doctrine into a fielded Army system.

Turbine Engine Diagnostics (TED) is a diagnostic expert system to aid the M1 Abrams tank mechanic find and fix problems in the AGT-1500 turbine engine. TED was designed to provide the apprentice mechanic the ability to diagnose and repair the turbine engine like an expert mechanic. The expert system was designed and built by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School (OC&S). This paper discusses the relevant background, development issues, reasoning method, system overview, test results, return on investment, and fielding history of the project. Limited fielding began in 1994 to select Army National Guard units, and complete fielding to all M1 Abrams tank maintenance units started in 1997 and will finish by the end of 1998. The Army estimates that TED will save roughly $10 million per year through improved diagnostic accuracy and reduced waste. The development and fielding of the TED program represents the Army's first successful fielded maintenance system in the area of AI. There are several reasons associated with the success of the TED program: an appropriate domain with proper scope, a close relationship with the expert, extensive user involvement, plus others that are discussed in this paper.

TED (Turbine Engine Diagnostics) is a diagnostic expert system to aid an M1 Abrams tank mechanic in finding and fixing problems in an AGT-1500 turbine engine. TED was designed to provide apprentice mechanics with the ability to diagnose and repair a turbine engine like an expert mechanic. This paper discusses the reasoning method used in TED, called the Procedural Reasoning System (PRS), as well as various design considerations throughout the life of the project. The expert system was designed and built by the US Army Research Laboratory and the US Army Ordnance Center. TED has been fielded to both the active Army and the National Guard.

The U.S. Army holds title to one of the most envied weapon systems developed—the Abrams main battle tank (MBT). Militarily, this weapon represents the epitome of lethality and survivability on today's modern battlefield. To combat difficulties associated with maintaining this sophisticated weapon, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School (OC&S) combined technologies from artificial intelligence with Army tank maintenance doctrine to develop an expert diagnostic system to assist Abrams' mechanics. The system, known as turbine engine diagnostics (TED), targets the mechanic's ability to effectively and efficiently diagnose and repair the Abram's engine and transmission. The OC&S estimates that TED will save over $8 million annually by enhancing the Abrams mechanic's troubleshooting capabilities. Limited fielding of TED began in July 1994 to 60 National Guard units in 30 states. Active units of the U.S. Army will receive TED in fiscal year 1996. This paper examines the relevant background, development issues, system overview, test results, and future efforts surrounding the TED project.

: TED (turbine engine diagnostics) is a diagnostic expert system to help the MI Abrams' mechanic find and fix problems in the AGT15OO turbine engine. ThD was designed and built by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the U.S. Army Ordnance Center. Limited fielding was begun in July 1994 to selected National Guard units, with eventual fielding to 28 National Guard units. Active units of the U.S. Army will receive ThD in January 1996. Several foreign countries are expected to use TED for their M1 tank maintenance. TED was designed to provide the apprentice mechanic the ability to diagnose and repair the turbine engine like an expert mechanic. The U.S. Army Ordnance Center has estimated that TED will save more than $8 million annually by enhancing the Ml mechanic's diagnostic capabilities. (MM)

TED (Turbine Engine Diagnostics) is a diagnostic expert system to aid the M1 Abrams' mechanic find and fix problems in the AGT1500 turbine engine. TED was designed and built by the US Army Research Laboratory and the US Army Ordnance Center. Limited fielding was begun in July 1994 to selected National Guard Units, with eventual fielding to 28 National Guard units. Active units of the US Army will receive TED in January 1996. Several foreign countries are expected to use TED for their M1 tank maintenance. TED was designed to provide the apprentice mechanic the ability to diagnose and repair the turbine engine like an expert mechanic. The US Army Ordnance center has estimated that TED will save over $8 million annually by enhancing the M1 mechanic's diagnostic capabilities.< >