US marines deploys vehicle automated diagnostics system

The US Combat Logistics Company (CLC) 23 marines have deployed new vehicle automated diagnostics system (VADS) aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

The new VADS, which recently became available to CLC-23, has been designed to locate and identify a problem in military vehicles, including rotary wing aircraft and armoured vehicles.

In addition to identifying problems in the vehicles, with the simple hookup of one connection and a laptop computer, the compatible VADS can detect any parts that need to be replaced.

CLC-23 heavy equipment mechanic corporal DeAndre Ramsey said that the new water and shock resistant system will tremendously cut down on time and troubleshooting and will also save lot of time and the money for Marine Corps.

"With this new technology we will be able to test entire systems of many vehicles for malfunctions in the same amount of time it would take us to diagnose a problem in one vehicle without it," Ramsey added.

Marines can continue to test even the newest vehicles by upgrading the VADS, without the system becoming obsolete.

VADS equipment instructor with Science Applications International Corporation Joseph Robertson said the VADS is the Marine Corps’s future of testing equipment.

"Before, Marines had to know specifically how each part of the vehicle operated, and had to troubleshoot each possible issue related to that part in order to find the problem," Robertson added.

"Now if a vehicle brakes down during a patrol or re-supply mission, the Marines can easily find out what is wrong with it within a matter of minutes, even if they have little to no mechanical experience."

"With the use of the VADS, the Marines of CLC-23 will be more operationally capable and prepared for future conflicts."