NAVWAR Expands Augmented Reality System for Remote Navy Ship Maintenance
United States Navy vessels are highly complex ecosystems, composed of interconnected systems that require continuous operation and maintenance. When a critical component on board malfunctions, it can significantly disrupt this intricate balance, potentially halting mission readiness until repairs are completed. Traditionally, addressing such technical issues at sea has been a logistical and financial challenge, requiring technician deployments, scheduling complexities, and funding clearance.
In response, the Navy is now integrating a cutting-edge solution known as the Augmented Reality Maintenance System (ARMS). This advanced tool allows shore-based technicians to connect with Sailors onboard ships from any location worldwide and offer real-time technical support, training, and maintenance assistance. Spearheaded by the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) and developed by the Naval Surface Warfare Centre (NSWC) Port Hueneme Division, ARMS significantly improves the efficiency of remote troubleshooting operations.
The system operates across a broad range of hardware platforms, including augmented reality (AR) headsets, smart goggles, tablets, and similar devices, providing flexibility for users in various conditions. ARMS was originally created by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at the Naval Air Warfare Centre Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) in Lakehurst. NAVWAR became involved in advancing this capability following a demonstration in the first quarter of the Fiscal Year 2025.
Working in collaboration with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, Program Executive Office (PEO) Integrated Warfare Systems (IWS), and PEO Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I), NAVWAR is now pushing to operationalise ARMS by the second quarter of FY2025.
The ARMS system has already undergone a successful demonstration aboard the USS Spruance (DDG-111) on 10 February. Its features have since been refined further in anticipation of broader deployment. ARMS was installed aboard the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG-11) prior to its March deployment, and initial feedback from Sailors has been overwhelmingly positive. The next phase of implementation will involve its introduction to additional vessels, beginning with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG-12), and subsequent shore facilities.
The system’s capabilities are extensive. ARMS merges real-world and virtual elements into a unified visual experience for the user. Through a headset equipped with dual speakers, microphones, and integrated cameras, a shore-side technician can be virtually present with a Sailor aboard a ship. Technical files, schematics, and guidance documents can be uploaded into the system, while communication between the technician and Sailor is facilitated through an onboard chat interface—everything displayed in real-time within the AR headset.
Importantly, ARMS is engineered to operate effectively over low-bandwidth connections and can integrate with shipboard networks. As the software is government-owned, it is licensed without additional cost, making it easier to scale across the Fleet.
This capability proves especially vital in contested or travel-restricted environments, where physical technician deployment is either delayed or impossible. Through ARMS, Sailors are empowered to perform complex maintenance tasks independently, reducing downtime and dependency on external support. This enhanced self-sufficiency aligns with the Navy’s strategic goal of fostering operational agility.
NAVWAR and its partners view ARMS not merely as a tool, but as a transformative advancement in naval operations. By providing Sailors with immediate access to the technical knowledge and support they need, ARMS is helping to cultivate a new generation of technologically equipped service members capable of managing their vessels’ systems more autonomously.
As ARMS becomes more prevalent across Navy platforms, the sight of Sailors donning AR goggles during routine maintenance may become standard. This evolution in support capability demonstrates NAVWAR’s commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to maintain mission readiness in any theatre of operations, regardless of location or conditions.
