Transforming Military Aviation with Secure Mobile Solutions
Lead with Speed: Safer skies through mobile modernization
In all military operations, effective communication dictates the success or failure of missions—but this is especially true for the Air Force. Communication is critical for pilots, ground control, and strategic command as it informs split-second decision making.
The EFB: A decade of progress; but not the end
Imagine lugging around more than 40 pounds of paper every day for your job, which is equivalent to a jumbo-sized bag of dog food or a car battery. Not long ago this was the norm for military pilots. Navigational charts, operating manuals, and reference materials were all part of their cumbersome daily routine.
That is, until the arrival of the electronic flight bag (EFB), a digital aviation solution that replaced the paper-based hassle with sleek iPads and real-time access to important information. The EFB not only saved space but millions of dollars by reducing the weight pilots had to carry and, consequently, required fuel. This modernization allowed for instant map updates, providing pilots with in-the-moment information, significantly enhancing their decision-making capabilities.
The EFB, which was introduced about a decade ago, marked a significant leap forward in modernization. However, it shouldn't—and can’t be—the end of the road. Implementing additional secure mobile solutions can lead to more transformative shifts, from increased efficiency and substantial cost savings to enhanced safety and, chiefly, improved communication.
Taking teamwork to new heights
Military pilots aren’t in constant communication in the way movies like Top Gun”would have you believe. Even when encrypted, radio broadcasts can be intercepted and triangulated to reveal an aircraft’s position, resulting in a radio silence requirement.
But when pilots need to closely coordinate, visual signals may be insufficient as there are major communication hurdles in military aviation.
Despite flying similar aircraft, communication between different branches, such as the Navy and Army, remains a challenge, too. Even within a single branch, like the Air Force, communication hurdles persist as F-35 and F-22 aviators still struggle to connect. While this can cause understandable frustration, some sources have even gone as far as to compare the situation to the Tower of Babel.
The fix: standardized communication through mobile solutions—that adversaries can never access—can promote real-time collaboration and interoperability, reduce confusion, boost pilot job satisfaction, and even improve wartime success.
Mobile solutions can also dynamically employ frequency hopping techniques, meaning they automatically change frequencies used for communication, making it nearly impossible for adversaries to disrupt the signal consistently.
As an added bonus, mobile apps can wrap in adaptive networking protocols that automatically adjust to changing conditions, including bandwidth limitations, network congestion, or challenging weather conditions.
Solving in-flight disclosure challenges: From sky to ground
Another challenge military pilots face is the limited ability to note problems with an aircraft—and ensure these discrepancies are immediately apparent to peers. Unlike traditional ground-based industries where technicians can physically inspect machinery, pilots are often isolated in the cockpit, relying on limited visibility and only the instruments at their disposal.
Pilots lack a real-time communication platform that allows pilots to share live data and observations during flight with maintenance crews on the ground. For example, a pilot in flight could encounter anomalies or irregularities that could impact the aircraft's performance, but relaying this information to ground control or fellow pilots is cumbersome at best. The absence of a streamlined, instantaneous communication channel hinders the collective awareness of potential problems, making it challenging to address issues promptly.
This communication gap can carry significant safety consequences. A crucial discrepancy noted by one pilot might be critical information for another aviator in preventing or mitigating a potential malfunction.
Responsive decision making
Agility is Monkton’s superpower and responsive decision making our North Star.
Monkton was founded with a simple mission in mind: change what is possible through secure Edge Computing via thoughtful and deliberate technology and design. We're constantly asking ourselves how we can raise expectations and deliver transformative solutions that make a greater impact. That begins with reimagining everything the military aviation industry can be.
We create tailored mobile solutions that focus on the core end user—all while thoughtfully modernizing legacy solutions that improve performance, efficiency, and national security.
The Monkton Advantage
Maintenance and Logistics Success at the Edge
BRICE
The U.S. Air Force recognized the critical need to harness digital technology at the operational Edge. They reached out to Monkton for support streamlining their maintenance data handling. Wen created and deployed BRICE (Battle Record Information Core Environment)—the first Edge-powered iOS mobile app of its kind. BRICE empowered maintainers to perform their jobs directly on the flight line by entering maintenance data into iPads.
Learn more about this modernization effort and find out how we were able to deliver an impressive ROI of $8,500 per user annually.
Balanced
When the USAF Special Operations Command (AFSOC) found itself relying on outdated Excel files for weight and balance calculations in critical missions, they sought a cutting-edge solution that could revolutionize their logistic operations. They partnered with Monkton to develop Balanced, a secure iPad app that offers a streamlined process for DoD loadmasters to make payload calculations.
Learn more about Balanced, a modern and efficient solution that can be used securely at the Tactical Edge (which means anywhere work is performed).
Front Line Maintenance Efficiency
EdgeMX streamlines your entire maintenance process right on your iPads, iPhones, and more, empowering users to work seamlessly in connected and disconnected environments with limited network access.
Everyone from supervisors, quality assurance personnel, supply shops, and maintainers can operate efficiently with smart-driven workflows that revolutionize your maintenance processes.
Mobility for Pilots and Maintainers
Secure mobile solutions are mission critical, enhancing the safety and operational effectiveness of military aviation. Mobility and real-time communication also enable pilots and maintainers to share observations, insights, and warnings with others as they happen.
War time success depends on real-time communication facilitated by secure mobile solutions to ensure pilots have all the information they need to make informed choices on a moment’s notice. Mobile solutions created by Monkton can offer built-in redundancies and backup systems, ensuring continuous communication even in challenging operational environments or situations where traditional communication methods are compromised.
