Date of Award

3-21-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Systems Engineering

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

David R. Jacques, PhD.

Abstract

This research used systems architecture to develop a model that determined the effect of Integrated System Health Management (ISHM) on mission success rates for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). To evaluate this effect, a simulation model was developed and used to analyze the difference between mission success rates for a theoretical UAS with and without ISHM. Design of Experiments analysis techniques were used to map a response surface that modeled the difference between mission success rates calculated for current health management technology and ISHM. Using representative data for a UAS, the analysis determined that the failure distribution parameters, sensor quality (which determines the relationship between probability of detection and probability of false alarm), and probability of an imminent fault during a mission were significant to the model. The result of the model determined that ISHM can result in a significant improvement on mission assurance, especially when implemented with higher quality sensors and on vehicles where the probability of imminent failure is higher relative to the mission times and time between preventative maintenance. This appears consistent with the premise that ISHM can support an extension of preventative maintenance intervals with an attendant reduction in sustainment cost.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-13-M-31

DTIC Accession Number

ADA583217

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