Motherlode: Royal Navy squadron launches app with Microsoft that could revolutionise aircraft maintenance

The Royal Navy's 1710 Naval Air Squadron has partnered with Microsoft to launch a new innovative app that the Senior Service says could revolutionise the way aircraft are maintained.

The app, named Motherlode, will enable engineers to process maintenance data much quicker – with what would previously take months being reduced to a matter of minutes.

This means Motherlode will reduce the burden on engineers, who will no longer have to pore through scores of data, the Navy said.

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Ultimately, this means the maintenance on aircraft will be more efficient and allow them to get out on operations much quicker.

Commander Nicholas Almond, Commanding Officer of 1710 Naval Air Squadron, said the launch of the app is "a significant development for naval aviation".

He added that Motherlode has "the potential to transform the way in which aircraft maintenance is carried out using smarter decision-making".

"The collaboration between the Royal Navy and Microsoft has been fantastic and fundamental to the success of this project," he said.

After the launch, Royal Navy personnel are now being trained to use the system at RNAS Yeovilton and RNAS Culdrose.

The training will ensure personnel are fully equipped to use the system's advanced analytics and real-time data processing capabilities to optimise maintenance schedules, predict component failures and improve overall fleet readiness.

Allen Hart, Microsoft Client Delivery Partner, UK Defence said: "It's been an exciting project for Microsoft, and we hope this collaborative endeavour will help the Royal Navy maximise aircraft availability."