Background

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) leverages technology and fosters a culture of innovation to enhance training and operations. This is part of the overall effort to build the next generation RSAF.

Immersive Technology to Enhance Training

The Air Force Training Command (AFTC) has been exploring the use of immersive technology to enhance Air Force Engineer (AFE) training. These immersive technology, in the form of enhanced training aids, aim to augment training pedagogies and overcome training constraints, enabling training to be conducted more effectively and efficiently. 

a) Mixed Reality Lens. The Mixed Reality (MR) lens uses holograms to simulate different environments and a wide variety of scenarios based on the AFTC's training requirements. This allows AFTC to enhance training realism for scenarios that are difficult to replicate in real life, such as aircraft emergency response, in a cost-efficient and time-efficient manner. The use of the MR lens enhances experiential learning for trainees even in a classroom setting.

b) Head-Mounted Micro Tablet. The head-mounted micro tablet allows users to retrieve information easily, reducing the need for hardcopy manuals. The voice-activated head-mounted micro tablet also enables hands-free operations, allowing trainees to focus on performing maintenance tasks without the need to refer to hardcopy manuals. In addition to its Augmented Reality functions, the head-mounted micro tablet is also capable of supporting remote mentoring where instructors and trainees need not to be in the same space for maintenance advice or instructions to be given.

c) Smart Glasses. The Smart Glasses allow instructors and trainees to share the same field of view in real-time. This overcomes space constraints as some maintenance tasks are performed in confined spaces. With the Smart Glasses, training can be conducted more efficiently, creating capacity for instructors and enhancing the trainees' learning.

Fostering a Culture of Innovation in the RSAF

The RSAF has created dedicated sandboxes to allow airmen and women to generate, share and experiment with innovative ideas. The "iADOC Launchpad" created by the Air Defence and Operations Command (ADOC) drives innovation in three areas – 3D printing, exploitation of Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies, and smartphone application development.

a) 3D Printing. With the capability to conduct additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, the RSAF has the flexibility to design and customise solutions to meet their operational requirements. During the 2018 DPRK-US Singapore Summit, the RSAF engineers worked closely with military airworthiness authorities to 3D print a customised LCD monitor mount for an aircraft, enabling the RSAF to meet an operational need in a more efficient and effective manner. 

b) Exploitation of COTS Technology. Leveraging Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technology such as solar panels and electrical connectors, a team of engineers developed a 24/7 Remote Network Monitoring System. Prior to the development of this system, manpower was required to conduct frequent manual checks on connectivity status and  issues at physical sites. With the introduction of the 24/7 Remote Network Monitoring System, the need to deploy manpower to conduct checks is eliminated, and the system will also be able to continuously monitor the connectivity status in an energy-efficient manner with the use of solar panels. 

c) Smartphone Application Development. A smartphone application, KnowledgeGoWhere, was jointly created by a full-time National Serviceman and a regular serviceman to enhance training and encourage self-directed learning. The application acts a database for RSAF Subject Matter Experts to contribute useful open-source engineering content, enabling training on-the-go as servicemen are able to access the relevant information via the application.