The first Systems Information Exploitation / Health and Usage Monitoring System (SIE/HUMS) box has been delivered to the Ministry of Defence by General Dynamics. The boxes will be integrated into the 578 vehicles of the operational training fleet over the next two years.

The system will monitor on-board systems on the British Army’s operational training fleet and automatically download vehicle data, simplifying the job of the Army’s fleet managers.

It will automatically monitor each vehicle returning to base from operations and identify whether it needs any repair or service. The data is uploaded wirelessly to the fleet manager’s system, eliminating the need to check over each vehicle individually.

The data can then be used to order the right spare parts for the right vehicles at the right time. The system will lessen the load on the logistics system and lower maintenance costs whilst improving turnaround time across the fleet, ensuring they can be back in operations as quickly as possible.

Mark Douglas, vice-president at General Dynamics UK, said: ‘Our ability to deliver the first fully compliant SIE/HUMS box, only four months after contract signature, is a result of selecting suppliers who are suitably qualified and motivated to work to the timeframes and standards required by military programmes.’