In the early 1990s, the Navy's Aviation Maintenance community began reengineering their training processes to provide a definitive training continuum that integrates fleet and schoolhouse resources while systematically infusing technology into the maintenance-training continuum. The result of this "reengineering" process is the Aviation Maintenance Training Continuum System (AMTCS) Program, an integrated training system of hardware, software and training management tools specifically designed to capitalize on current technology capabilities while providing for future growth to maintain currency. A primary goal of the AMTCS Program is to use leading edge technology to provide quality t raining materials to support "Just-in-Time" training throughout an individual Sailor's/Marine's career. This is accomplished by managing training through: a) the development of master task lists that incorporate data by individual skill and knowledge requirements necessary to maintain specific platforms/systems or execute the duties required of specific billets; b) an assessment tool to evaluate individual cognitive capabilities; c) training data to support task remediation; and (d) a comprehensive training management concept. This training system has been implemented in several weapon systems communities and is in the process of implementation in other communities. Its impact on the readiness and war fighting capabilities of the personnel served is being documented.

This paper will focus on several key aspects of the AMTCS Program. First, it will describe the programmatic complexities experienced in implementing a large-scale training system that significantly modifies the current Navy/Marine Corps aviation maintenance training culture. Second, it will define the key elements of the training system and the unique implementation requirements for the system. Third, it will describe specific lessons learned relative to cost, schedule, and system implementation based on its integration across multiple weapons platform communities. Lastly, it will describe the evaluation metrics collected during the initial implementation phase of the program and the programmatic and policy implications for future technology infusion initiatives.