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AIM 2 upgrades Air Force Fuel Management System

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Kevin Gangadeen
  • 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  In the spring of 2008, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was chosen to test 20 vehicles with the Fuelmaster Automotive Information Module Fuel Management system, or AIM 2. Based on the results of that test, the Air Force allocated $350,000 in September 2009 to increase the scope of the test by installing AIM 2 on 900 vehicles, as well as three fueling stations and entry gates to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. 

The AIM 2 system is an upgrade to the current Vehicle Identification Link key system the military has been using to dispense and track fuel costs for many years. This upgrade will be ongoing for the next few months as the 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance flight installs programs and tests this system on a portion of the joint base vehicle fleet. If this test proves successful, AIM 2 will be installed on vehicle fleets Air Force-wide. 

Currently to refuel a government vehicle, the operator needs to insert the VIL key into the FuelMaster control box at the pump, enter the vehicle mileage and select the pump nozzle prior to use. In many cases, the operator would input incorrect mileage or select the wrong fuel nozzle. 

With AIM 2 equipped vehicles, this process is now completely automated and after the operator has turned off the engine, he simply removes the fuel cap and inserts the fuel nozzle. If the correct fuel type has been selected, the pump will turn on and fueling begins. AIM 2 equipped vehicles will be marked on the fuel door or above the fuel cap.

How does it work?
While the vehicle is being fueled, the vehicle and pump exchange information, such as registration number, odometer reading, fuel mileage, off-base drive time, speed driven, idle time, and engine diagnostic codes is transmitted wirelessly; the information will be used to enhance vehicle management capabilities and fuel efficiency.

Reason for change:
The installation is required to pay a Federal Excise Tax for fuel on each vehicle that is used on public roads. Historically, we have not done a good job to consistently capture and document off-base mileage. As a result, when a vehicle was driven off the installation, even just once, the base paid the tax for the entire quarter. AIM 2 equipped vehicles will be monitored as they leave and enter the installation by a head unit located at each of the main gates; it captures the vehicle information and stores it. This information will then be used to calculate precise off- base usage per vehicle, thus drastically reducing the amount of taxes paid.

Other benefits and capabilities:
· On-board diagnostics, or OBD, interface for real-time maintenance and odometer data acquisition
· Captures and reports vehicle error codes via OBD II interface
· Wireless vehicle record updates designed to take the driver "out-of-the-loop" and reduce mechanic's time and labor 

In a nutshell:
The AIM 2 upgrade makes it easier for operators to refuel vehicles and provide accurate reporting of vehicle mileage, diagnostic, and fuel usage data. Based on preliminary AIM 2 test data, it is estimated the Air Force's portion of the total Department of Defense FET payments could be reduced by 27 percent. 

FET savings could improve the Defense Energy Supply Center's working capital fund status and ultimately reduce fuel pump prices at all DoD installations. The Air Force could realize O&M savings of approximately $3 million annually in ground vehicle fuel costs for every 5 cents per gallon drop in price.