Summary: | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. === The importance of reliable and maintainable equipment in the hands of our service members cannot be overstated. Reliability has been identified as the life cycle cost driver for defense weapon systems. Knowing that the reliability of a weapon system directly impacts upon that system's operational capability and life cycle costs makes it of fundamental importance to the warfighter. In recognition of its importance, it is mandatory for all program managers within the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure their program accounts for the user's reliability objectives. However, reliability failures continue to disappoint operators, maintainers and testers of DoD systems. This thesis evaluates reliability management within the acquisition process of Naval Aviation programs. Reliability, logistical, and program management personnel directly involved with the issues of reliability management provided empirical insight to help the researcher identify root causes and risk mitigation techniques that are critical to reliability optimization.
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