1. UAV reliability addressed from a "common perspective' for the first time (1) Drawn from the collective data gathered on all the UAVs examined (2) Recommendations from design, operational, and technical perspective (3) System-specific answers are responsibility of each Service's program office 2. Traditional reliability-enhancing methods: Reduce complexity, Improve quality 3. UAVs challenge this idea (1) Simpler systems (Pioneer and Hunter) are less reliable than complex ones (2) Improving component quality means higher priced components (3) External factors (rain, ice, wind) have a comparatively larger effect 4. Reliability costs money (1) More dependent on role than whether it is manned or unmanned (2) UAV savings result from operating, maintenance costs over the system's lifetime 5. Improving UAV reliability is the single most immediate and long-reaching need to ensure their success (1) Current levels of reliability impact their operational utility, acquisition costs, and acceptance into airspace regulations. (2) Value of making reliability improvements must be weighed against not only acquisition cost but also the less quantifiable returns gained by a commander.
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