Survivability and Reliability
Survivability and reliability of Stingray were regarded as key to the success of the Stingray system. Frazer-Nash drew on its experience in the planning and implementation of reliability programmes, and the subsequent assessment of reliability, to develop a programme of work that could be used to provide confidence that Stingray could be developed into a reliable and robust commercial system. The key aims of the work programme were to:
Stingray Assessment
Frazer-Nash reviewed the design of the second generation Stingray with a view to developing an Equipment Breakdown Structure (EBS) that represented the probable functionality of Stingray in 10 functional blocks.
Using the EBS, a reliability analysis of each functional block was undertaken. The reliability analysis was used to identify areas of perceived high reliability risk associated with the Stingray design. The identified risks provided input into the development a set of ‘design for reliability’ criteria that could be used by the client as part of the Stingray design process and the specification and selection of materials and parts.
A briefing was provided to the client as an introduction to reliability engineering. It included an overview of the ‘design for reliability’ criteria and the importance of integrating reliability into design activities with respect to performance and cost.
Support Concept Development
Using the results of the reliability analysis, and Frazer-Nash knowledge, an initial support strategy for the Stingray was developed.
The strategy considered the complexity of the system, the types of maintenance expected to be required, its operation and intended environment along with the location of the system and anticipated access issues.
The initial maintenance concept was developed to a level of detail that allowed the impact on the COO to be assessed by the client.