Future Combat System - Integrated Computer System RAM-T Case Study

Abstract

High levels of predicted system reliability have been achieved on the future combat systems (FCS) integrated computer system (ICS) through early influence on the system design by the reliability/availability/maintainability and testability (RAM-T) design team. Part of the uniqueness of this team is the composition and degree to which they have worked together to influence design requirements and architecture of the ICS. Engineering representatives that specialize in RAM-T from both the seller and the customer participate and act on the team together with little management interference. They act as one voice to influence their respective organizations in order to ensure that the ICS will be capable of achieving the highest degree of reliability possible within the design constraints of the program. Another key aspect of the reliability program has been the active participation of the team in the design process spirals in order to preserve aspects of the design through each successive design iteration that will all the overall ICS to meet RAMT requirements. While challenging, this interactive approach to reliability engineering on a large, complex program should be a model for other large scale programs in the future. It can help us all "get it right the first time".