The mobile aircraft maintenance office concept from a wide area perspective

Abstract

As mobile computing becomes more ubiquitous, through the use of very capable mobile computing devices and broadband wide area wireless data networks, naval aviation maintenance has an opportunity to extend the reach of the Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS) to fielded aircrew, maintenance technicians, and maintenance supervisors supporting out of local area operations. The combination of the new mobile technologies and the wireless Internet makes modern Mobile Business (m-business) initiatives possible but ushers in a host of new problems and issues that are radically different from those experienced with traditional fixed electronic business (e-business) projects. This thesis examines the concept and components that comprise m-business, details wide area data over cellular technologies, and identifies problems and issues unique to m-business initiatives. Scenario-based Use Cases will be employed within the Unified Process (UP) framework to develop the three major artifacts of the UP's inception phase - the project's vision, a Use Case model, and a supplemental specification containing functional and non-functional requirements for an aircrew mobile aircraft maintenance application. The results of this study can serve as the foundation for the development of a complete mobile aircraft maintenance office.