Avion provides engineering, specialized logistics and technical programmatic management services to the AMRDEC Aviation Engineering Directorate (AED), Sustainment Engineering Division, for the life cycle management of the Critical Safety Item/New Source Testing (CSI/NST) Program. Avion has been a primary sub-contractor supporting the program since 1993 via contracts DAAJ09-93-D-0057, DAAJ09-96-D-0023, DAAH01-00-D-0016 and since July 2005, AMCOM EXPRESS C/N W31P4Q-05-A-0030.. The CSI/NST Program is a multifaceted effort designed to provide enhanced life-cycle management and control of parts critical to safe operation of Army aircraft systems (i.e., AH-64, CH-47, MH-47, UH-60, MH-60, OH-58, UH-1, AH-1). Avion has supported this program by providing the lead support function for approximately 7,000 active CSIs within the principal Army rotorcraft systems (across the full range of prime and alternate source suppliers). Avion has been integrally involved in the logistics support, program management, qualification, engineering testing, source approval, and monitoring of CSIs since program inception. Avion fully understands the Command policy for management of CSIs; from the inception of the predecessor Flight Safety Parts (FSP) Program in 1985 to the current integration of the Joint Aeronautical Commanders Group (JACG) Instruction, “Management of Aviation Critical Safety Items.” We have supported establishment of policy, procedures, requirements and assigned responsibilities for the life-cycle management of CSIs. Avion has been a key principal over the last 13 years developing and supporting coordination of Command policy documentation to include DOD 4140.1-R, “Flight Safety Critical Aircraft Parts (FSCAP),” AMCOM REG 702-7, “Aviation Engineering Flight Safety Parts/New Source Testing Program Management,” QE-STD-1, “Flight Safety Parts Quality Systems Requirements,” and QE-STD-2, “Flight Safety Parts, Critical Characteristics, Maintenance & Overhaul”. Avion has an in-depth understanding of the activities and interactions within Team Redstone relating to the CSI program, including participation at the Commanding General level In-Process Reviews (IPRs). We provide recommendations for CSI planning/breakout program including technical requirements, trade-off analyses, and assessment of flight safety risk. We have developed and established strong working relationships and interfaces within PEO-AVN and AED Systems Engineering personnel for the various aircraft and engines, Integrated Materiel Management Command (IMMC), Safety Office, Engineering Directorate – Industrial Operations Division (Tech Loop), and Acquisition Center personnel involved in the CSI program alternate and repair source vendor qualification and program execution.

Avion supports the AED review of TDPs and DMWRs to support CSI acquisition, Special Test Equipment (CSI qualification test fixtures), manufacture and Depot Maintenance activities. Our Team Redstone support also includes review, verification, and reconciliation of logistics data supporting CSI acquisition and sustainment. Avion provides comprehensive support for testing requirements determination, Government vs. commercial test facilities evaluation, alternate and repair source vendor qualification, and contract execution for the CSI/NST program. We have supported and continue to develop prioritization routines to determine, given scarce personnel resources, which SARs and Supplier Interface and Oversight Program (SIOP) visits will be given highest priority.  Avion provides technical expertise throughout the life cycle; e.g, supplier quality audits, conformance inspection, first article/quality verification and acceptance test oversight, RAM engineering expertise, life cycle assessment analysis, contractor test system design and operational oversight, test methods/procedures/acceptance criteria and manufacturer quality program monitoring and evaluation. Avion also provides AMCOM with engineering support for the Source Approval Requests (SARs) for all major rotorcraft systems including the T53, T55, T700, T701 engines. Avion supports CSI life cycle policy formulation/documentation, including interface with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) managed CSI, and provides analyses of life cycle performance, mission requirements, and system application to modify/update CSI designations. Avion designed, manages, sustains and enhances the CSI Information Management System that provides detailed analysis/report capabilities for CSI/NST program. The CSI/NST IMS provides central consolidation of CSI/NST data encompassing all principal Army Aviation platforms to support and is used by PEOAVN PMOs, AED Systems Engineering Divisions, Safety Office, DLA, IMMC, Tech Loop, the Acquisition Center and other Team Redstone organizations. CSI IMS data includes all qualified sources, Critical Characteristics (CCs), testing requirements and status of testing.

Avion initiated, provides PA oversight, and manages the Conformance Inspection (CIP) and the SIOP to perform inspection and testing of new CSI and periodic quality audits of Army Aviation CSI suppliers, respectively. Avion reviews technical documentation, technical manuals, TDPs and DMWRs to ensure inclusion of adequate quality requirements, e.g., CSI CCs; and reviews test reports and studies to assess CSI program impact. Avion also provides CSI documentation control information and management for acquisition of CSI spares and M&O services. Avion has assisted the systems engineers in developing System Safety Risk Assessments (SSRA), Aviation Safety Advisory Messages (ASAM), and Safety of Flight (SOF) Messages as needed for unqualified parts in the inventory.

Avion provides logistics program support related to CSI acquisition activity and maintenance. We analyze EIRs and ECPS for logistics, safety and potential readiness impacts, providing input recommendations to AED Systems Engineering. We interface with Structures and Materials and depot maintenance activities regarding process improvements for CSI performance enhancement and mitigation of flight safety risk. We provide TDP and DMWR technical reviews to support CSI acquisition, Special Test Equipment (CSI qualification test fixtures), manufacture and Depot Maintenance activities. Our Team Redstone support also includes review, verification, and reconciliation of logistics data supporting CSI acquisition and sustainment.

Avion has also designed and implemented, and operates and sustains the CSI Information Management System (IMS) and supporting technical/logistics databases. Avion draws logistics extracts from CCSS, and interfaces with DLA data systems for selected logistics and procurement data feeds to the CSI IMS. We develop and implement software modifications for CSI IMS enhancement and successfully implement improvements required as technology and data sources develop. The IMS facilitates CSI management, ensuring all CSI-related technical data, logistics requirements and acquisition data is readily accessible. Since program inception, the Avion CSI IMS has provided a central point for consolidation of CSI data encompassing all principal Army Aviation platforms. The information is used by PEOAVN PMOs, AED Systems Engineering, AMCOM Safety Office, DLA, IMMC, Tech Loop, the Acquisition Center and others within the AMCOM community to support their mission requirements. Avion has provided extensive input to the Logistics Modernization Program (LMP) developers to ensure that CSI data requirements are adequately addressed.

Our corporate experience and direct involvement with the formation and development of the CSI program has provided the Army with a valuable resource for planning and implementing an effective and comprehensive CSI program. Avion has played a key role in the qualification and/or removal from the fleet for hundreds of CSIs (removal of unqualified sources, addition of newly qualified sources), resulting in an increase in qualified sources and the reduction of flight safety risk for the Army Aviation fleet.