A 'New Look'in Reliability - F-18Operational Mission Environment.

摘要

This study project examines the F-18program's development of an expected operational mission environment (OME) of the airplane to tailor existing specifications for design and test requirements of systems and equipment. Based on F-18contractor studies and reports plus interviews of contractor and Navy Project Management Office personnel,discussion is presented treating establishment of mission profiles/environments,expected reliability improvements and life cycle cost savings. Study results indicate that use of the OME concept will significantly increase F-18operational reliability as compared to existing carrier-based aircraft. Analysis also indicates that a 'front end'investment cost of approximately three million dollars for OME design and test of selected mission-critical equipment will result in a savings of over 100million dollars in operating and support costs through manpower,spares and rework reductions. Recommendations include establishment of a requirement for,and standard methodology of developing mission profiles early in the acquisition cycle of future systems. The expected operational environment derived from these profiles should then form the baseline for design and test requirements of system and equipment. (Author)