The purpose of Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) engineering is to influence system design in order to increase mission capability and availability, and decrease logistics burden and cost over a system’s life cycle. Properly planned, R&M engineering reduces cost and schedule risks by preventing or identifying R&M deficiencies early in development. This early action results in increased acquisition efficiency and higher success rates during operational testing and the development process.

R&M parameters (e.g., mission and logistics reliability, corrective maintenance, built-in test) are important characteristics used in measuring the operational suitability and effectiveness of Department of Defense (DoD) weapon systems. R&M parameters also relate to other system parameters, primarily those that characterize the system performance, readiness, logistics supportability, and total ownership cost. The R&M parameters and particular levels of performance support other system parameters essential to the success of the mission.

Results of R&M engineering activities are essential for programmatic decision and control functions. The R&M design methods and procedures are not new, but the challenge occurs in the diligent management of these methods and procedures to achieve reliable and maintainable systems. Effective management control of the R&M program, using the policies and guidance set forth by DoD, are intended to ensure timely performance of the necessary R&M activities to achieve the requirements and the development of adequate data to assess R&M at major milestones.

Communities

R&M Engineering Community of Practice

Forthcoming in cooperation with Defense Acquisition University

DoD Service Leadership for Reliability and Maintainability

DoD chartered, by invitation

DoD-Industry Reliability and Maintainability Engineering Roundtable

DoD chartered, by invitation

Strategic Direction

A comprehensive R&M program consists of engineering activities including the following:

Prepare

Prepare a preliminary Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Cost (RAM-C) Rationale Report in support of Milestone (MS) A and updated for the Request for Proposal (RFP) Release Decision Point, MS B, and MS C.

Program

Program Managers and Operational Test Agencies assess reliability growth required to achieve the reliability threshold during Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E)

Develop

Develop reliability growth strategy

Track

Track and monitor reliability growth throughout the acquisition process

Resources

  • RAM-C Rationale Report Outline Guidance Training Brief

  • Reliability and Maintainability Body of Knowledge, 2018

  • R&M Engineering Contract Language for the MCA Pathway

  • Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 5000.02, Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework

  • R&M: Critical to Success in a Technology Reliant World, Andrew Monje, Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, Tucson, AZ, January 27, 2016

  • DoDI 5000.02T, Enclosure 3, Systems Engineering, including policy relating to R&M Engineering

  • What Is in an Effective RAM-C Rationale Report?
  • 18th Annual NDIA Systems Engineering Conference, Springfield, VA, October 28, 2015

  • Future Direction of Model-Based Engineering Across the Department of Defense 66th Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, Palm Springs, CA, January 27, 2020

  • R&M Engineering in the Era of Big Data
  • Andrew Monje, 66th Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, Palm Springs, CA, January 29, 2020

  • RAM-C Rationale Report Outline Guidance

  • RAM-C Rationale Report Outline Guidance

  • Guidance for Tailoring R&M Engineering Data

  • 2016 Reliability and Maintainability Symposium Keynote
  • Robert Gold, Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, Tucson, AZ, January 25, 2016

  • Essential Elements of an R&M Engineering Program
  • 19th Annual NDIA Systems Engineering Conference, Springfield, VA, October 26, 2016

  • Planning for R&M Engineering ENG 0860

  • Planning for R&M Engineering ENG 0860

  • Defense Acquisition Guidebook Chapter 3 4.3.19 Reliability and Maintainability Engineering

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Office of the Under Secretary of Defense,
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