Demo to Deployment in 30 Days: The ARMS Case Study

Abstract

In February 2025, Augmented Reality Maintenance System (ARMS) had a shipboard demonstration of its remote technical assistance capabilities. Video of the demonstration made its way to critical leaders across Systems Commands (SYSCOMs), and the ARMS team at Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) was asked to field the system across a Carrier Strike Group within 30 days. Over the next month, the ARMS team overcame every programmatic and policy barrier to deploy an integrated, accredited, and capable system into the hands of the warfighter. This achievement was made possible through a variety of prototype and technology acceleration authorities, including creative contracting strategies, Non-Permanent Change (NPC) alteration status, the Fleet Risk Acceptance process, and an Urgent Deployment Test (UDT) Interim Authority to Test (IATT). The volume of necessary workarounds reveals several insights about technology transition in the U.S. Navy; namely, criticality of high-level advocacy, relationships with key Fleet staff, shipboard integration expertise, emergent labor funding, and flexible procurement options. This paper offers a case study of the ARMS rapid deployment effort, intended as a resource for acquisition professionals and an example of how a program can successfully innovate by trading risk for speed.