US Navy Saves Over 1,000 Man‑Hours With Azima DLI’s Advanced Fleet Condition Monitoring

Global condition‑monitoring specialist Azima DLI announced on June 15 that its first‑of‑its‑kind pilot with the U.S. Navy has already cut maintenance effort by more than 1,000 man‑hours a year.

The year‑long, two‑ship pilot—featuring the guided‑missile destroyers USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Nitze (DDG 94)—leverages Azima DLI’s SpriteMAX online vibration monitoring, DCA‑31B handheld data collectors, and ExpertALERT condition‑assessment software. Together, these tools continuously track more than 80 machines, automatically flagging issues and prompting maintenance actions with minimal crew involvement.

“Soon after the USS Ross implemented Azima DLI’s condition monitoring system, the company’s diagnostic team alerted us to failing bearings on several pieces of our equipment. The early warning allowed us to repair the bearings before failure and prevent further damage,” said Lt. Danny Madison, chief engineer, U.S. Navy SURFOR. “The ability to implement a sustainable preventative maintenance program of this caliber holds extraordinary potential for our fleet in terms of improving equipment reliability, uptime, and related savings of time and money.”

“Azima DLI’s system enabled us to take immediate action on equipment degradation and prevent machine failure well before it happened,” said Warrant Officer John R. Desgrey, U.S. Navy SURFOR maintenance and material management officer. “The system also allowed us to avoid unnecessary maintenance and increase the timeliness of repairs. During one sea‑trial test, the Port Engineer met the Nitze with work orders ready to broker the work.”

Azima DLI’s automated diagnostic platform is engineered to forecast repair needs up to two years in advance, aligning with a ship’s overhaul schedule. When faults are detected, custom rules forward the information to the shipboard Integrated Condition Assessment System (ICAS) and then to the onshore maintenance planning system, ensuring seamless integration into the vessel’s overhaul plan.

“The success of this U.S. Navy pilot program is a testament to the diagnostic strength of our products and the expertise of our engineering team,” said Joe Van Dyke, president of Azima DLI’s Government Services division. “By demonstrating quantifiable results and return on investment for the Navy, we look forward to expanding our relationship and addressing the equipment reliability needs of its broader fleet.”

About Azima DLI
Azima DLI is the only global condition‑monitoring services company exclusively focused on delivering accurate and timely equipment diagnostics to industrial plants, transportation organizations, and the military. Our expert analysts, advanced software, and flexible, web‑based delivery model provide customers with the information they need for insightful decision‑making that lowers maintenance costs and improves reliability. Azima DLI’s WATCHMAN Reliability Services combine industry best practices with advanced technology to support sustainable, ROI‑driven programs that enhance equipment uptime and performance. Headquartered in Woburn, Mass., Azima DLI has offices across the U.S. and international representation in Asia‑Pacific, Central America, Europe, and South America.