Reliability Enforcement in Design (Using Gyroscopes as an Example)

From the customer's viewpoint, there are really only two ways to acquire reliability in a design. One is competition based on performance (rather than price). The second is an adequate test program with agreed-upon procedures and requirements established at the time of initial purchase and covered by the price. Sufficient experience (some in government procurement) where neither of these conditions applied warrants a serious look at techniques for forcing reliability into design. This paper attempts to do just that and, additionally, emphasizes the need for pre-established test programs and test results at the time the contract is awarded. Using gyroscopes as an example, it actually shows the savings possible when total cost including maintenance is considered.