Managing weapon system R&M in the post Cold-War environment

It is pointed out that US Army R&M (reliability and maintainability) engineers face numerous changes. Department of Defense policy is placing tight scrutiny on R&M at each major program decision point. Opportunities exist for R&M improvements through the increased use of material change management programs in lieu of new major programs. Increased use of post-fielding R&M assessment offers an opportunity to identify related cost savings and combat capability enhancements in currently fielded systems. Requirements will focus on new parameters that may more clearly identify potential operating and support cost savings. Decision makers will no longer have the luxury of evaluation based on unlimited data. Increased use of simulation and decision risk analysis will be a necessity