Charles Fletcher, Director of Logistics Command and Control, The Boeing Co.

Charles Fletcher, Director of Logistics Command and Control, The Boeing Co.

Boeing & RFID Boeing & RFID RFID Journal Live 27-29 April 2009 Charlie Fletcher

What is RFID? 20 Year Old Technology Data Point Solution Process Enabler, Not a Process

RFID In Combat

Lessons Learned

Integrating Systems & Technologies What To Identify How To Identify Enablers Line Haul Flat Rack RF Tag Interrogator/ Burner Container Air Load Pallet Barcode Origin/Enroute Box Each Origin

RFID Lessons Learned 1 st Step - Accurate Data Capture RF Tags Fall Off, Removed & Batteries Die RFID Tags = ITV RFID Business Case is Changing Machine-To-Machine is the Desired Data Exchange Method, Intransit Visibility is the Desired Outcome RFID can be the Right Solution

What Happens When You Don t Maintain Positive Control of Distribution? Loss of Items Ordered.$1.2B OIF I Repair Parts Loss of Transportation Assets..$850M+ Detention/Loss Loss of Customer Confidence.Hoarding/Reordering Point: Poor Distribution Management Wastes $Billions Degrades Readiness.Reduces Quality of Life

RFID In Boeing

Boeing s Use of RFID Time and Temperature Sensitive Material Description Labels on all containers Readers at storage locations Implement a warning system to detect nearexpired material Employ an automated material tracking and replenishment system Parts Receiving Description RFID labels on containers Readers at receiving dock doors Associate tags with parts at supplier Automate parts receiving transactions and serialized parts database entries Auburn Raw Material Receipts Benefits Eliminate expired material in production Eliminate labor required to audit inventory Eliminate external audit findings of expired materials Maintain right-size inventory levels Reduce material procurement and disposal costs Automated re-ordering signal to suppliers Facilitate environmental reporting Warn of improper material storage or co-location Benefits Eliminate receiving transaction labor Eliminate serialized part database entry labor Improve accuracy of parts receipt Outbound Shipping Description Joint project being worked with customer and technology providers Labels on all shipments Readers at Boeing docks and planned for customer delivery points Automate tailkits shipping & receiving identification & transactions Tracking Fuel Offload Benefits Eliminate shipping and receiving transaction labor Improve accuracy of shipments Work with DoD on RFID requirements Work with DoD on supplier systems interfaces

RFID Active Tag Vision and Architecture High value parts (low value parts if tags cheap enough) Network-connected devices (laptops, wireless print servers, factory workstations, etc) 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11 Active Tags

Aircraft Sensor Environment

RFID Passive Tag Vision Passive Tag Gates Radio Energy Confinement 860-960MHz Passive Tags (need international readers) Tag cannot contain sensitive data Need international wireless standards development Passive Tag Gate(s) Passive Tag Gate(s) Passive Tag Gate(s) Passive Tag Gate(s) Passive Tag Gate(s) Passive Tag Gate(s) Passive Tag Gate(s) Passive Tag Gate(s)

Philadelphia Initial RFID Implementation RFID hardware in place 21 portals, 33 readers & 92 antennae Built RFID Manager supports multiple business applications Implemented Tool Management & Asset Tracking 4/2004 Developing new RFID transactions from 3rd party warehouse Pursuing Supply Chain Mgmt. areas of interest: Inventory Functions / Transactions, Tracking Time Sensitive Materials- Tracking Hazardous Materials Tracking Assemblies - Receiving Parts- RFID applied at the supplier - Tracking Vendor Kits Shipping Labels Everett, WA (777 Moving Line) Time Synchronizers Location Devices

F/A-18 Final Assembly Current Active & Passive RFID Development Major Assembly Sections Fwd, Ctr Aft, Wing Aircraft positions Major Assemblies Wing, Horizontal, T/E Flap, Canopy/Windshield, Landing Gear, Radome Tool Boxes Splice & AC Positions Active Tag Landing Gears/Dolly Support Equipment Hydraulic & Test Carts Freezer Material Electrical Kits

Boeing RFID is a Game Changer! Reliability Recurring Maintenance Logistics Actions, Chain of custody, Failure Patterns Movement thistory Legacy OEM, Birth record, Certs/Specs Maintenance Task manning/tooling/ requred certs) Unstructured Data OEM feedback, Helpful observations Authenticity Validation of authenticity & Authorizations for Repair and custody Engineering Curious, life limited or Unique repair Control documents

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