Reliability analysis and TQM problem solving tools for improving maintenance operations in modern jet fighters

The purpose of this paper is to broaden the application of Total Quality Management principles on maintenance issues for modern jet fighters as an attempt to further predict, improve and confirm reliability enhancement on critical aircraft systems, sub-systems or components. The proposed methodology is focused on the identification of under-performing maintenance cycles by instituting a reliability assessment study emanating from past fault detection data. Frontline TQM tools are utilized such as Pareto analysis, Cause and Effect diagrams and FMEA in order to recognize the vital few aircraft systems/components that are more prone to causing high-occurrence malfunctions. Thus, by instituting preventive control on selected systems/components eventually leads to ameliorating maintenance process scheduling. The outcome of this study may aid in proposing a more scientific platform, by relying on TQM methodologies, for programming maintenance initiatives in a combat-ready Air Force squadron.