Abstract:
Application of a Maintenance Free Operating Period (MFOP) strategy in a fleet of vertical lift aircraft has profound implications to product support. Previous approaches to MFOP focused on estimating the operating period's probability of success with modeling techniques and improving results using design elements such as inherent reliability. These approaches were aircraft centric and neglected aspects of the sustainment system external to the airframe. Key external facets addressed are the establishment of metrics that adequately measure MFOP performance as a stochastic process, optimization of the recovery period through a systems approach, transition to risk-based maintenance using high fidelity diagnostic and prognostic systems, establishment of an architecture to facilitate quality data consumed by a digital twin, and construction of maintenance policies suited for MFOP. The study concluded that robust product support surrounding the aircraft provides the best likelihood to achieve MFOP strategy success while delivering an efficient recovery period.