AH-64A RELIABILITY AND MAINTAINABILITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

The McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems Reliability and Maintainability group has developed a process for AH-64A reliability and maintainability improvement. This process involves a closed loop three-phase assessment program using collected and analyzed aircraft field maintenance data. The first phase is a quick look of field data to prioritize the areas which would benefit from improvement. The R&M prioritization is based upon selected failure, removal, maintenance man-hour, and cost data. This prioritization is then combined with other program priorities by the responsible management to queue the issues for phase two. The second phase consists of an extremely detailed analysis investigating the specific area of improvement which leads to effective corrective actions. The third phase function serves to ensure corrective actions are adequate to close out investigations of the improved areas. Return on investment of this process is realized in cost savings and customer satisfaction.