Aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) is on the brink of a transformation and AI is set to play a significant role in this evolution. From accelerating the industry’s digitisation to enabling predictive maintenance and cost savings, its potential is vast.
Recognising the need for rapid and continuous advancement in the MRO space, Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) has launched the LTP Startup Challenge 2024 in collaboration with Seedstars. This initiative seeks to catalyse MRO related innovation through exploring the potential of cutting-edge AI technologies.
LTP, a joint venture company of Lufthansa Technik AG and MacroAsia Corporation, offers a wide range of MRO services to customers worldwide. Building on the success of their previous LTP Startup Challenge in 2022, this year’s initiative focuses more exclusively on AI.
Sharing more details about the challenge, LTP specified round one will focus on AI algorithms, machine learning, automation, and predictive analytics for optimising MRO operations, while round two looks for solutions designed to enhance aviation MRO operations and address significant challenges related to efficiency, particularly from a high attrition rate among mechanics, time-consuming manual processes in production and support departments.
Stefan Yordanov, VP Finance and Strategy and Corporate Projects at Lufthansa Technik Philippines said:
“This year, we are particularly excited to focus on AI-powered solutions that can revolutionize aviation MRO. We believe that the integration of AI will unlock unprecedented efficiency and help us deliver superior services to our customers.”
The LTP Startup Challenge 2024 highlights not only the critical importance of innovation within aircraft MRO, but also the essential role startups play in driving that innovation. Find out more about the challenge here.
The MRO landscape is on the brink of a transformation and Karen Miller believes its digitalisation will unlock “phenomenal opportunities.”
In a recent interview, Miller, GM, Connected Aero highlighted the critical importance of digitalisation in the MRO landscape. The 10-minute conversation looked at why modernisation is so crucial, how the landscape is already changing, and the technologies that will shape its development years into the future.
Miller explained that with a declining workforce and substantial growth projected for the industry, modernisation followed by digitisation can unlock much needed additional capacity. Through automating routine tasks and optimising data utilisation, workers can be empowered to tackle the tasks requiring human skill, enhancing both efficiency and productivity.
During the interview, Miller also selected emerging technologies like machine learning, AI, and natural language processing as having the potential to shape the future of the MRO landscape for years to come.
Acknowledging the transformative power of digitalisation comes with a degree of adversity, Miller highlighted a couple of innate challenges that will need to be overcome. Watch the full interview below to find out Miller’s thoughts on:
Key challenges anticipated during the transition to a digitalised industry.
The crucial role of digitalisation in today’s industrial landscape.
Factors that have slowed down the rate of modernisation in the industry compared to other sectors.
The evolution of the MRO ecosystem with the advent of digitisation.
Changes in the day-to-day operations for workers in MRO facilities and the long-term benefits.
The Airbus innovation arm UpNext has launched Optimate, a “flying truck” replicating an A350 cockpit. The fully-electric next-generation autonomy demonstrator emulates the aircraft, rolling down airport runways equipped with an A350 virtual flight deck and ‘computer vision’ devices, including geo-locating sensors, 4D radar and LIDAR, as well as a full flight test installation in the back to monitor the tests.
Developed in partnership with researchers, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders, Optimate is designed to both support pilots and increase operational safety. The truck has already been trialled at UpNext’s HQ and Blagnac airport but this year it aims to experience the runways of an international airport.
One key objective for the three-year research project is evaluating how a collaborative map and virtual flight assistant can aid a pilot’s strategic decisions alongside air traffic control and airline operations centres. A second objective is for the test bed to develop and test automatic taxiing grounded in reliable position calculations and unlocking the potential of quantum.
However, the press release detailed the project’s ultimate aim as “perform[ing] a highly efficient automatic ‘gate-to-gate’ mission on an Airbus commercial airliner, featuring 4D trajectory flight management, a tablet-operated connected virtual assistant, and overridable protections – all to support the flight crew.”
Remaining mindful of sustainability, the use of an electric vehicle reduces unnecessary CO2 emissions.
Michael Augello, CEO Airbus UpNext said:
“We are delighted to unveil another innovative demonstrator that reflects our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of aviation. Our ambition is to use the best technologies to make our aircraft even more aware of their operating conditions, analysing it in as much detail as possible to become smart and reliable assistants to pilots, providing them with the optimal assistance. We are confident that this project will contribute to safer and more efficient air travel.”
This month, the UK successfully tested “ground-breaking” quantum technology aimed at creating an unjammable back-up for GPS navigation systems.
Although the technology’s “practical implementation” in commercial aviation is still estimated to be 10-20 years away in the UK, this test signals a key milestone for quantum enabled navigation systems.
The research has received nearly £8m in funding from the UK government who are pushing to be seen as a world leader on quantum, and is the “first test of this type of technology in the UK on an aircraft in flight.”
Accordingly to the government press release, the test is part of a project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) specifically focusing on creating quantum sensors to address the UK’s heavy reliance on GNSS/GPS for location, navigation, and timing data.
“From passenger flights to shipping, we all depend on navigation systems that are accurate, safe and secure. The scientific research we are supporting here on quantum technology could well provide the resilience to protect our interests.”
The flight tests involved Infleqtion, a quantum information company, and aerospace companies BAE Systems and QinetiQ. The two tests showed the technology offers “exceptional accuracy, and resilience, independent of traditional satellite navigation using GPS.”
Roger McKinlay, Challenge Director Quantum Technologies at Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said:
“Modern infrastructure is increasingly dependent on highly accurate timing and navigation derived from satellite signals. These flight tests mark the culmination of two excellent projects which Infleqtion has had the vision to create and the deftness in leadership to execute with an outstanding team of collaborators.”
Extensive labour shortages the aviation industry is currently facing have been identified as a critical challenge with the potential to slow progress, and the MRO sector is no exception. In fact, McKinsey & Company research indicates that by 2033, one-fifth of aviation maintenance technician jobs will go unfilled.
However, generative AI (gen AI) is seen as a potential way to bridge this growing gap, and the MRO industry is particularly is well positioned to benefit from the innovative technology. Gathering research on this topic, a recent McKinsey article looked at the transformative potential of gen AI for the MRO sector, here are some of its key insights.
The major ways gen AI can assist the MRO industry are as:
Virtual AI maintenance and repair experts (“co-pilots”)
AI-augmented reliability engineering tools
Assistants who take care of busywork
Permanent quality control supervisors
Supply chain managers
Accelerators of onboarding hires through skills training
Key challenges with its integration include:
Striking the right balance between careful and agile
Preserving strict safety and regulatory compliance
Finding the right talent
Having the right data
Highlighting gen AI’s potential, the article references a mining company that is scaling its support tools. The company is projected to see “at least a 35 per cent reduction in the time it will take technicians to troubleshoot equipment problems and at least a 25 per cent reduction in the time needed to do unplanned repairs.”
“Given the acute labour shortages in the MRO industry, these capabilities could turn out to be substantial productivity levers. There is also reason to believe that gen AI platforms could boost the quality, consistency, and accuracy of maintenance work, ultimately keeping more aircraft in the sky and minimizing aircraft out-of-service periods.”
Gen AI has the potential to transform the MRO sector, providing a range of solutions to the industry’s workforce challenge. Although its integration comes with a set of obstacles, if successful, the technology could help establish a more efficient, accurate, and safe industry.
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