Methodology for Estimation of Operational Availability as Applied to Military Systems
Abstract
Operational availability (Ao) is an important consideration during the evaluation of system effectiveness and sustainability. Ao is sometimes specified as an attribute within military requirements documents, at the discretion of the proponent. Recently, however, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual (CJCSM) 3170C mandated the establishment of materiel availability as a sustainment Key Performance Parameter (KPP). KPPs are defined to be those attributes of a system that are considered critical or essential to the development of an effective military capability. However, test and evaluation of availability is problematic because it is highly dependent on the response and delay times associated with the maintenance and logistics support structures, which are not normally in place prior to fielding. This often leads to the evaluation of Ao via analysis or simulation-measuring the systems reliability and maintainability characteristics-and applying an estimate of the effect of the logistic support system. This article provides a brief background of Ao as well as a comparison of several methodologies for measuring and estimating Ao. Although KPPs are required by CJCSM 3170C to be testable, it is clear that it is necessary in most cases to measure the inherent reliability and maintainability of an item and to apply modeling and/or simulation techniques to evaluate the actual Ao. The equations and methodologies in the article describe the most common of those techniques, as well as their limitations and shortcomings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA518378
Entities
People
- Gary A. Pryor
Organizations
- United States Army Training and Doctrine Command