USMC Expeditionary Fluid Analysis System EFAS Mr Anton

USMC Expeditionary Fluid Analysis System (EFAS) Mr. Anton Schager – Project Officer Marine Corps Systems Command

EFAS Brief • Requirement • KPP’s • Material Solution • Employment • POC • CBM+ Support

EFAS Requirement • Deployable, real-time, fluid analyzer to support Condition Based Maintenance practices for Marine Corps ground equipment. • Two Tiers: • Tier I. Ruggedized portable fluid analyzer for use by tactical units while forward deployed in a field environment. • Tier II. Benchtop portable fluid analyzer and machine wear analyzer for heavy (tanks, tracks, LAV) and maintenance support units.

Key Performance Parameters • Perform fluid analysis: • viscosity (40&100 C), TAN, TBN, Moisture Analysis, additive depletion, glycol, soot, wear particles. • Perform machine wear analysis through elemental analysis of machine wear particles • Instant test results: 5 to 10 minutes to perform tests • Deployable and At-Platform use: Ruggedized • Network capable: transfer test data to GCSS-MC & CBM+ data repository

Other Key Parameters Simplicity: Support the mechanic in the maintenance bay.

Tier I Solution Spectro Field. Lab 33 M Controller. Fluid Analyzer. Viscosity Tester. Particulate Contamination Tester. Case and instruments meet MILPRF-28800 Class II environmental (ruggedness) requirements.

Tier II Solution XRF Elemental Analyzer. Controller Fluid Analyzer Viscosity Tester Spectro Field. Lab 58 M Case and instruments meet MILPRF-28800 Class III environmental (ruggedness) requirements.

Employment • Tier I: Deployed to every operational unit in the USMC at the Bn level. • Tier II: Deployed to “heavy” Bn’s and maintenance support units.

EFAS Proof of Concept 8 th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB) 1 st year, 2 nd Transportation Support Battalion (TSB) 2 nd year. Tasked to test the feasibility of performing fluid changes of tactical vehicles based on the fluids condition, vice calendar schedule interval. Proof of Concept assessment Capability was described as “a money maker. ” Upwards of 60% of the fluids tested did not require replacement. Workload reduction resulting in major time savings. Both units were able to routinely identify impending equipment failures, particularly in hubs. Able to affect repairs prior to catastrophic failures. Reduced mobile contact team dispatches.

EFAS Proof of Concept Observations from Proof of Concept • Training was not difficult, Marines picked it up easily. • System was very easy to use and provided easy to understand results. • Initial inspections using EFAS usually identified multiple previously unknown issues. • Initial work load increased dramatically (started working in shifts). • After several months workload decreased below pre EFAS levels. • Need accessible draw points on vehicles/equipment.

CBM+ EFAS is one small piece of the USMC CBM+ effort. This will supplement databus loggers, onboard sensors etc. Will enable units to perform CBM+ of lubricating fluids and help pinpoint maintenance issues and trends. Its biggest contribution is likely to be felt at the unit level allowing maintainers to apply their scarce resources were most needed.

Expeditionary Fluid Analysis System Questions?