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B-152600 1 (1972-01-19)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaagqb0001 and id is 1 raw text is: UNITED STATES GENERAL AC U I GJF WASHINGTON, D. 2054 DEFENSE DIVISION B-1526oo JAN 19 1972 (lilfill 111(1 (II 11111 l11111 11111 1111l 111111111 i Dear Mr. Secretary: LM096698 The General Accounting Office (GAO) has looked at the procedures used by the Air Force to achieve reliability ir aviation equipment. '2f Aware that a low level of reliability was being experienced on some equipment, GAO wanted to know why. We examined the performance records of selected subsystems and compared these with reliability test requirements incorporated in the procurement contracts. --wr--V-performed at the Ogden, Oklahoma c~it, Warner Robins, and San Antonio Air Materiel Areas; the Air Force Logistics Command; and the Air Force Systems Coromand. The Air Force buys and accepts subsystems from contractors on the basis of reliability demonstrated in tests. There is little, or no, direct correlation, however, between the reliability achieved in tests and that experienced during actual operations. When installed in air- craft, these subsystems are usually much less reliable. The quality of maintenance performed in the field, the type of missions the equipment is use. on, the skill with which it is used and how the equipment interfaces with other subsystems all affect its reliability. For these reasons, it is understandable that reliability in actual use will be somewhat less than in test conditions. However, because such extensive differences are being experienced by the Air Force, we believe there are weaknesses in the testing methods or criteria being used. Test results compared with operational experience One measure of reliability of equipment is the length of time that it will perform satisfactorily without failing. This interval of time is called mean time between failures (MTBF). The Air Force and the Naval Air Systems Command contracts specify a minimum accept- able interval that must be achieved in reliability testing.

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