Reliability and Performance of Aircraft Transparencies in Military Service

Abstract

One of the main factors contributing to the effectiveness of the Royal Air Force is the quality of its equipment. To be most efficient the equipment should have the highest possible performance coupled with complete reliability. Any departure from this standard of reliability must be compensated for by economy in maintainability. The high and unacceptable failure rates experienced by the Royal Air Force are discussed as are the effects on aircraft availability, mission success and flight safety. Other serious aspects are the consumption of spares, their replacement and the financial costs involved. Some failure patterns in different aircraft environments are discussed and the cause and effects of failures are examined, together with the modifications which have taken place. The paper concludes with a statement on the reliability and maintainability requirement which the Royal Air Force must have if it is to provide the maximum national insurance with its weapon systems.

Citation

Pryor, W.E. (1964), "Reliability and Performance of Aircraft Transparencies in Military Service", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 36 No. 12, pp. 386-402. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb033958