Reliability pays off

This paper presents a results oriented case history of the Reliability Program for the Lead Computing Optical Sight System (LCOSS) for the Northrop F-5E Aircraft. The program was started in 1973 with a development test and evaluation program to demonstrate the reliability of the system. The first production hardware was delivered in 1975. Reliability integrity has been maintained and verified throughout the production hardware cycle over the ensuing years by successful reliability testing of 192 systems. Field availability has been high, and life cycle costs of the F-5 LCOSS have been low due to its excellent performance in the field. The paper describes in detail the system-atically structured three-phased reliability program from the contractor's viewpoint. Emphasis is placed on requirements, methods, results and decisions associated with the F-5 LCOSS Reliability Program from March 1973, through October 15 1979. The three test phases, Reliability Demonstration Test (RDT), Production Reliability Verification Test (PRVT) and Production Reliability Test (PRT), will be discussed in detail. Field results and relative program costs are also presented.