Design for success

The idea of specifying reliability and maintainability (R&M) requirements in ways that accept the notion of random failure (i.e. MTBF) has outlived its usefulness. Design engineers do not design random failures and faults into products yet they occur and play havoc with the operational availability of military equipment. New ways must be found to deliver both mission reliability and guaranteed availability at the front line. Under the banner 'Designing for Success', the RAF is proposing a paradigm shift in the delivery of more certain and higher levels of R&M and these requirements are now progressively being specified for new equipments where appropriate. Equipment being procured under the philosophy of Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) will allow significant trade-offs between availability, maintainability and supportability. Yet it is the design process using the latest technology and concepts such as Systems Engineering which will give the ability to deliver guaranteed maintenance-free operating periods (MFOPs) for systems and platforms. Through parallel initiatives such as the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) Foresight Action Programme, industry has embraced the idea of a paradigm shift in reliability improvement under a programme called the Ultra Reliable Aircraft (URA). The Ministry of Defence (MoD) fully supports this initiative through specific activities as it will be a prime customer for its outputs.