US Army mechanical RAMCAD models

The US Department of Defense has begun to emphasize the need for improved design techniques that can be implemented early in the development of potential weapon systems. This need has been driven by requirements for more capable military hardware that can be requirements for more capable military hardware that can be delivered to the field quicker while minimizing total life cycle costs. To accomplish this task, designer-oriented evaluation techniques have been developed and automated using current computer technology to enhance their ability and ease of use. The authors examine the accomplishments and future efforts being pursued by the US Army Belvoir Research, Development and Engineering Center, to merge mechanical reliability prediction models into an effective design-oriented environment to enhance the capabilities of mechanical system designers