THE EXISTING ARMY SUPPORT STRUCTURE, operational doctrine, and the environment in which Army aircraft must operate all impact “operation availability” a measure of system readiness. These impacts may include increased failures (caused by both hardware faults and/or operational factors), longer delays in obtaining repair resources, and lengthier repair times. The equipment design must recognize these factors and incorporate design features that minimize their impact.
The purpose of this paper is to identify general supportability design requirements for Army tactical aircraft, vehicles, and equipment. Although specific design requirements vary from system to system, a number of general concerns and areas apply to all. The existing support structure, operational doctrine, and the operating environment are the prime factors in determining these general requirements.