Development of Unified Reliability Prediction Techniques for Flight-Control Systems.

Abstract : The Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory has been involved in the development of analytical techniques for the reliability prediction of flight control systems. Under the direction of the Air Force, these various techniques have been combined to form a unified analysis approach which can be efficiently and effectively utilized by the system design or reliability engineer. The resulting 'new' TAbular System Reliability Analysis, TASRA, utilizes the best features of the other approaches, and completely documents the analysis process. It is responsive to mission requirements, flight profiles, various design concepts, and many stages of design and hardware development. The analysis is capable of including electronic, electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, and hydraulic equipment. Both catastrophic and degradation data can be included in the analysis. TASRA can handle standby or repair conditions, and more than one failure mode simultaneously. Results include probability of failure, mean time to failure, and failure rates. The technique can be further developed to achieve greater capability and efficiency. (Author)