The problems of reliability and maintenance in very large electronic systems for shipboard use

Current naval technical development is leading to the development of electronic systems for weapon control, air direction and guided missiles characterized by ¿size¿ and ¿complexity¿ of a different order of magnitude to anything hitherto met with at sea. Such very large systems, built up, in the main, of essentially commercial quality valves, resistors, capacitors and other electronic components, clearly present special problems if a high order of reliability is to be achieved. The special hazards of service at sea and the particular problems imposed by great size are considered. At the detailed design level the author suggests a number of possible approaches for the achievement of high reliability. Considering such systems as a whole the statistical pattern of component failure is discussed and taking practical examples the probable period of fault-free operation is derived. Typical figures are cited. The importance of rapid repair under battle conditions is stressed. Monitoring methods are critically reviewed.