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The assurance of R&M in acquisition programs of the Royal Australian Air Force

This paper addresses the techniques used to assure system reliability and maintainability (R&M) within the acquisition process of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The RAAF recognizes that R&M are principal determinants of the level of operational availability that will be achieved by weapon systems and key factors of life cycle cost. R&M are therefore important performance parameters relevant in the acquisition process. To ensure clarity, the RAAF acquisition process is explained and contrasted with the US process. R&M is assured in RAAF weapon system acquisition programs in the following manner: (1) the R&M requirements are developed in a logical manner from operational preparedness objectives for the weapon system; (2) R&M requirements are quantitatively specified; (3) competing tenderers for the weapon system development propose and submit self devised R&M program plans to achieve the R&M performance requirements; (4) prospective contractor proposals are reviewed and compared using the Reliability Guide; (5) the successful tenderer assumes the commercial risk of achieving all of the system performance requirements including R&M; and (6) monitoring of the contractor during system development is "hands-off" but "eyes open". This approach to R&M in acquisition was chosen after consideration of the acquisition process in a number of countries, especially the US and UK. The approach is similar to that used by the UK and has been in use in Australia now for about two years.