Avionics/Electronics Integrity

Modern combat (or commertial) aircraft systems consist of a large number of sophisticated and complex avionics/electronics subsystems. The US Air Force of Productivity, Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (PRAM) reports that 25 to 45 percent of aircraft system failures in the electronics or electromechanical area 〔Kachmar, 1985〕. It is an important issue to achive the required reliability and maintainability for avionics/electronics subsystems in order to guarantee the mission success during the life cycle in a timely and cost effective manner. The issuance of USAF Mil-A-87244, "Avionics/Electronic Integrity Program requirements," 1987 demands a new approach called "Avionics/Electronics Integrity Program" (AVIP). The objective of this paper is to give a tutorial presentation on the basic aspects of Avionics/Electronics Integrity efforts in relation to total quality management of avionics/electronics whose performance measures are expressed in terms of reliability, durability, and matainability.