A framework for maintenance and combat readiness management of a jet fighter aircraft

Panagiotis Tsarouhas () and Maria Makrygianni
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Panagiotis Tsarouhas: Technological Educational Institute of Central Macedonia
Maria Makrygianni: Hellenic Airforce, Ministry of Defence

International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, 2017, vol. 8, issue 2, No 104, 1895-1909

Abstract: Abstract The study is focused on the application of maintainability analysis in a jet fighter aircraft in order to point out weaknesses of maintenance operations. Descriptive statistics of the repair data were carried out and both maintainability and repair rate modes for the entire aircraft were calculated. Maintainability for different time periods for aircraft’s principal subsystems has been estimated on the basis of fitted distribution models. Quality function deployment (QFD) method was applied to link customer requirements and maintenance characteristics in military squadron, revealing the relationship among the prevailing factors affecting maintenance operations. The QFD is proposed as a quality planning methodology to reduce aircraft repair time increasing at the same time squadron’s combat readiness. The highest maintainabilities were associated with the engine, the communication/navigation and the fuel subsystems, whereas the airplane general, the flight control and the structure subsystems bottomed out in maintainability performance. Furthermore, top management involvement, resources availability, maintenance procedures, maintenance planning as well as technical experience were the main factors responsible for the current maintainability level of this aircraft. The paper is based on practical actions being undertaken in an Airforce and therefore, is demonstrated to be practical in an aviation environment. This study may be used for long‐term, strategic assessment and planning decisions in order to sustain unit availability and overall air force combat readiness at a high level.

Keywords: Aircraft; Availability; Maintainability analysis; QFD (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1007/s13198-016-0481-8

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