New robotics at Robins Air Force Base (AFB) in Houston County will improve productivity and better equip the military on future missions, said Representative Austin Scott (R-GA-08).
Robins AFB personnel, Scott said in June, provide critical capabilities to counter America’s adversaries in China, Russia, and Iran.
Scott told his constituents in an emailed newsletter Sunday that the Air Force has spearheaded Department of Defense (DOD) robotic technology at Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (WR-ALC). This technology supports F-15s, C-130s, C-17s, C-5s, JSTARS, and the RQ-4 programmed depot maintenance workload.
“To date, over 30 robotic systems have been integrated into the depot commodities processes to include thermal spray repair, de-paint, C-130 Propeller Grinding and Inspection, and others,” Scott told constituents.
Scott discussed the technology during a House Armed Services Subcommittee hearing last week.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment Steven Morani said the DOD plans to expand that technology to the rest of the Organic Industrial Base.
The Army Organic Industrial Base is composed of resource providers, acquisition and sustainment planners, and manufacturing and maintenance performers, according to the Army’s website.
“Warner Robins is actually leading the department when it comes to implementation of robotics. They have, right now, more than 40 robotic machines that are taking the place of the human. They are increasing productivity. They are increasing quality and health and safety,” Morani said.
“The other benefit is the reduction in environmental impact. We have worked with Warner Robins. We have worked with the other services. We have a very robust working group. We call it the Joint Robotics Organization for Building Organic Technologies. We have a policy, in draft right now, for the first time in the department’s history, a policy for how we will implement and use robotics systems for manufacturing and sustainment.”
Scott said in September that the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will benefit Robins AFB and Moody Air Force Base (AFB), both of which are in his district.
The E–8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) is based at Robins AFB. JSTARS is a joint Air Force and Army program that Scott said provides critical airborne surveillance, intelligence, and command and control to our military through on-board radar and computer subsystems equipment. The system gathers and distributes detailed battlefield information. Combatant commanders utilize the JSTARS fleet around the world.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Austin Scott” by U.S. House Office of Photography. Background Photo “Iron Dagger Aircraft” by Georgia National Guard. CC BY 2.0.
#/media/File:Austin_Scott_official_photo.jpg){kind=link}