At InterConnect Wiring, we are committed to ensuring the highest standards in EWIS (Electrical Wiring Interconnection System), particularly for military aircraft like the F-16, F-22 and vertical lift platforms like the UH-1 and AH-1 helos. One of the most influential groups in the EWIS community is JSWAG (Joint Services Wiring Action Group). But what exactly is JSWAG, and why is it so critical to the safety, reliability, and longevity of military aircraft wiring systems?
What is JSWAG?
JSWAG, “Joint Services Wiring Action Group”, is a collaborative organization formed by representatives from the U.S. military branches, government agencies, and industry leaders. This group focuses on improving the design, maintenance, and sustainment of wiring systems in military aircraft and other defense platforms.
We caught up with JSWAG Branch Chief and Army Chairman, Shane Lege, about what the overall objective is for JSWAG, and he stated;
“The overall objective of the Joint Services Wiring Action Group (JSWAG) is to have a cross collaboration across the five services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force) to improve the safety, reliability, availability, and maintainability of Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft by improving the Electrical Wiring Interconnect System (EWIS).”
We also asked Mr. Lege what he was most excited about for the future of JSWAG given where the organization has been and where it is headed. To which he replied,
“Previously JSWAG was managed at the NAVAIR level within the Navy, using cross collaboration with the other services to maintain assets, with no one to report the data up to. Now, JSWAG is a DoD Joint Chartered Organization under the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Materiel Readiness, Mr. Kelleher. This allows the JSWAG Executive Steering Committee (ESC) to bring up current issues found across the services to the DoD, which may allow us to conduct policy changes or even raise awareness at the greater level.”
A Brief History of JSWAG
JSWAG was established in response to wiring system failures and degradation issues that became increasingly apparent as military aircraft aged. Over the decades, wiring problems such as insulation breakdown, corrosion, and improper maintenance practices led to mission failures, costly repairs, and in some cases, catastrophic incidents.
Recognizing the need for a standardized, inter-service approach, the Department of Defense (DoD) spearheaded JSWAG to centralize wiring expertise, improve training, and implement engineering solutions across all military branches. JSWAG members regularly conduct research, share field experiences at meetups like the DoD Symposium, and target the development of guidance documents that influence military standards (MIL-STDs) and technical manuals.
Now that you know what JSWAG is and a brief history, be sure to “tune in next time” for the top 4 reasons JSWAG is important to EWIS!
Want to learn more about EWIS and how InterConnect Wiring supports military aircraft platforms? Contact us today!
