The new Department of Defense (DOD) guide for achieving and assessing RAM

This article introduces new reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) guide that addresses the current RAM problems in the Department of Defense (DoD), and the activities appropriate to achieving satisfactory levels. It deals with the principles that could be applied to the developmental and operational testing and evaluation of defense systems. A series of workshops are initiated based on statistical issues relevant to defense acquisition, one of which specifically addressed reliability, availability and maintainability. The primary objective of defense acquisition is to acquire quality products that satisfy user needs with measurable improvements to mission capability and operational support in a timely manner, and at a fair and reasonable price.