WFM is part of the Defence Change Programme overseen by 2nd PUS and DGLS&E HQLF who is the SRO.
Multi-vehicle Closed CHE storage facility
WFM allows the MoD to meet Defence outputs through more effective equipment capability management and is crucial to supporting and enabling future training in order to meet operational commitments with smaller fleets whilst offering significant benefits.
WFM is a continuous improvement change programme, being delivered incrementally, supported by a number of enablers:
Joint Asset Management Engineering Solution (JAMES). JAMES is an Information System (IS) that provides global and near real-time visibility of asset and engineering data. The second phase of JAMES will give a deployable capability thus providing real-time and global visibility of assets with the inclusion of engineering data and will be rolled out in Mar 11. JAMES 1 achieved FOC in Sep 10 which coincided with the implementation of 3WFM.
Data Reporting Analysis Corrective Action System (DRACAS). To support DE&S IPTs to identify trends in equipment failure and subsequently change and improve design. DRACAS are mandated to identify savings of £55M per annum on behalf of WFM for Defence. Confirmatory trials in BATUS on air filtration through work initiated by the DRACAS Cell has increased distance between failure of Warrior from 858 km to 5100 km with considerable cost savings in filters, engines and repair cost. More significant is the enhanced operational capability this engineering solution provides. The DRACAS Cell are progressing a further 23 projects in conjunction with DE&S IPTs and recently reviewed and reduced the servicing requirements for some UOR equipments.
Theatre Fleet Support Unit (TFSU). There are 2 TFSU's based in Ashchurch (Gloucestershire) and Ayrshire Barracks (Mönchengladbach Germany) which provide support for the stored fleet in Controlled Humidity Environment (CHE) sheds. There are a number of additional locations which provide storage to the fleet, they are:
- Arbroath
- Chivenor
- Donnington
- Stafford
- Stirling
Controlled Humidity Environment (CHE)
Challenger 2 in unit lines with Open CHE applied
The process of dehumidification (the removal of moisture from the air in order to stop the degradation of equipment) of a shed housing a number of vehicles (Closed CHE) or a single vehicle (Open CHE). To assist in the maintenance of equipment a Battery Management System (BMS) is used in conjunction with CHE to keep batteries fully charged through a trickle feed.
Land Training Fleet (Warminster) (LTF(W))
Defence vehicle and equipment fleets - Land Training Fleet (Warminster)
Initially created to support CT levels 3 & 4 on Salisbury Plain the LTF(W) has developed with the addition of the Operational Training Equipment Pack (OTEP) which covers the UOR equipment procured to support ongoing operations. Improvements to the command and control have provided units and formations with a one stop mechanism to provide the capability and resources required to undertake pre deployment training and confirmatory exercises.
Background
WFM will enhance the operational readiness of the Defence vehicle and equipment fleets and enable their more efficient use. There will be a reduction in the number of vehicles procured, going forward, which in turn will result in a smaller Total Fleet Requirement (TFR), as a result, the practice of issuing units with their full establishment of vehicles has ceased. Units now hold a reduced fleet of vehicles (active fleet) sufficient for low level collective training, these holdings are augmented from training fleets (active fleets) for higher level training. Operational deployments utilise vehicles from the operational pool (stored fleet) which is held in a Controlled Humidity Environment (CHE) to avoid vehicle degradation. Without these changes MoD will not be able to meet future operational and training requirements.
Interim WFM (IWFM) was the initial phase of implementation and has been successfully rolled out to the Army, Eqpt Dir HQLF managed the necessary equipment drawdown from units to create Unit Holdings (UH) as endorsed by HQLF and A&SD. IWFM has now been expanded to Tri-Service WFM (3WFM) to encompass the Navy and RAF, a Comprehensive WFM (CWFM) option to allow the inclusion of industry in the process was put on hold until the exact requirement can be defined. UH have now been redefined as Basic Unit Fleets (BUF) which have been calculated by A&SD to support CT1 level training activity on local, backdoor training areas and are managed IAW current ES direction.
Current Status
Interim WFM (IWFM)
IWFM began in Sep 05 and is a single-service propriety phase being implemented across the Army (Regular and Reserve) that rationalised unit holdings and provided initial sites and conditions for the stored fleet, it achieved FOC in Sep 2010.
Tri-Service WFM (3WFM)
Ministerial approval for the 3 WFM Main Gate Business Case was received on 14 Mar 08 and included the approval for the rationalisation of UH across the Navy and RAF. The Stored Fleet when fully established will continue to provide central training and operational pools of vehicles and equipment. 3 WFM was launched in Sep 10.
Milestones
Mar 11 Commence Tri Service rollout of JAMES Land
The Way Ahead
Although SDSR and PR11 will have an impact on the Programme, the current plan is to progress 3WFM in two distinct phases: first, (in Tranche 2, 2010-2015) to deliver JAMES Land, to establish the rules for management of the Stored and Active Fleets and to consolidate existing infrastructure to optimise storage and capacity. Then, in Tranche 3 (2015-2024), to develop the UK vehicle hub. DRACAS will continue to deliver benefits throughout.