A successful program for missile reliability

Reliability engineering activity for the vertical launch ASROC (VLA) antisubmarine missile is discussed. The program necessitated task tailoring and a search for cost-effectiveness. This work is a compilation of lessons learned for a low-cost, medium-size reliability program. It shows that careful attention to technical and administrative details will lead to successful hardware functions as demonstrated through testing. Properly conducted reliability efforts can make substantial contributions to achieve desired results. Highlights from the conduct of each assigned task are presented, and are discussed under the headings of MIL-STD-785. This reflective view of those experiences may be of assistance of planning future reliability programs of any size