Abstract:

The MIL-STD-785, “Reliability Program for Systems and Equipment, Development and Production,?is the basic reference document for the general requirements of reliability programs for the defense industry.  The document is used by the defense industries in the selection and implementation of various reliability tasks required for the design and manufacture of electronic equipment.  These tasks span the acquisition process through the development, production and initial deployment stages.  The standard that sets guidelines for selecting and tailoring the specific tasks required to meet the needs of a reliability program for defense equipment manufacture.  The manufacturer may propose to tailor these tasks to suit the particular needs of the equipment being developed depending on the type, magnitude and funding of the project.  However, such modifications require prior approval by the DoD and must be supported by a proper rationale.  This paper addresses modification to the MIL-STD-785, which will incorporate the extensive physics-of-failure based reliability prediction methods now available.  The transition from the present to the physics-of-failure based approach involves the complete restructuring of MIL-STD-785 in several key areas which include: reliability prediction, modeling, maintainability, logistics, FMECA, EPCTA, parts programs, ESS, RDGT, RQT, PRAT FRACAS and accelerated reliability testing.  The paper highlights the advantages gained to both commercial as well as defense related industries by the implementation of the modified MIL-STD-785 as a COM-MILITARY standard.
 

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