Airbus to Launch SmartForce Data Analytics Systems for Military Operations

Airbus is extending its advanced data analytics tool in the aviation community to the defense market with the launch of SmartForce.

SmartForce suite of services to be launched by Airbus Defence and Space together with Airbus Helicopters will enable military operators to exploit the data gathered by their aircraft to enhance operational safety, boost mission availability and reduce maintenance support costs. Operators can benefit from services to improve troubleshooting, optimize maintenance effort, predict maintenance actions and plan for material demand, the company said Monday.

The system incorporates on-site private data clouds to support specific military security requirements but also lays the ground for operational data-sharing between willing allies. The resulting decision-making reduces the maintenance burden and boosts fleet availability.

It will enable maintenance by drilling into the wealth of data acquired by new generation helicopters and aircraft such as the NH90, A400M and A330 MRTT resulting in new standards of aircraft availability and the freeing of resources to focus on mission execution.

SmartForce builds on Skywise open data platform for the civil sector which now hosts the data of more than 2,000 aircraft at over a dozen airlines following its launch last year.

To satisfy military security requirements, SmartForce incorporates security measures such as geographic isolation, the use of accredited personnel, and monitoring by national cyber-security authorities.