Analysis of Operational Suitability for Test and Evaluation of Highly ReliableSystems

摘要

The purpose of this research was to develop a quantitative measure of operationalsuitability (OS) and determine its applicability in making the test length decision prior to Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOTE). The current approach used by the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) was presented and used to establish the relationships of the test measures. It was established that OS could be represented by a function of operational availability (Ao) and built-in test effectiveness (BE). BE was defined and measures proposed based on the method of data collection. A proposal for predicting Ao, BE, and OS to determine the proper test length and sample size was analyzed for several examples of prior information. Multiplicative and additive utility functions were proposed as possible ways to calculate OS. It was shown that probability statements could be made about BE, Ao, and OS from the prior information; this analysis revealed the reliance of the results on the prior information. Test and evaluation, Operational suitability, Decision analysis sample size determination.