Representative Projects: Acquisition Program Support
Advanced Arresting Gear Program
The Navy’s Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system is being designed for the next generation aircraft carrier program, CVN-78. Penderbrook Associates managed the AAG’s reliability and maintainability (R&M) program and also supported maintenance planning and repair level analyses (RLA)/level of repair analyses (LORA).
Penderbrook engineers developed baseline program documentation including the reliability program plan, maintainability program plan, and the failure reporting and corrective action system (FRACAS) plan.
- R&M allocations were conducted to determine AAG subsystem and equipment level quantitative requirements that were incorporated into procurement specifications.
- A failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) was conducted on all major AAG subsystems.
- The FMECA results were used to identify critical failure modes and through redesign were either eliminated or their probability of occurrence was reduced to acceptable levels. FMECA results were also used to identify critical safety items (CSIs).
- Reliability block diagrams were developed for the AAG system and R&M predictions were conducted using Relex©.
- Operational availability (Ao) modeling was conducted using the Naval Sea System Command’s (NAVSEA) TIGER Computer Simulation software and the Raptor© model.
- R&M allocations, predictions and Ao models were updated as design details became available during the design development process.
- Sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the impact of components not containing allocated R&M values and follow on sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the impact of alternative spare part support concepts.
Through the R&M analyses conducted by Penderbrook engineers, a number of design issues were identified and mitigated to improve not only system reliability but improve maintainability aspects of the design to provide for increased accessibility and ease in fault isolation.
Our engineers also defined AAG program environmental stress screening (ESS) levels and electronic/electric parts derating requirements. Penderbrook Associates supported reliability centered maintenance (RCM) product development using MIL-P-24534A and conducted RLAs using the Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) JAM LORA software. We also supported program and design reviews and presented the status of R&M program activities, tasking and deliverables. Penderbrook supported the AAG program throughout the system design and development (SDD) phase and its successful transition through NAVAIR’s initial critical design review (CDR) milestone.
Program Management Support for U.S. Coast Guard and Navy Programs
Penderbrook Associates provides program management support for ship acquisition programs.
This includes support in developing acquisition baseline program planning documents including:
- systems engineering plans
- risk management plans
- system safety plans
- supportability and integrated logistics support plans
- human systems integration plans
- maintenance plans
- interim support plans
- navy training system plans
- hazardous materials management plans
- configuration management plans
- reliability and maintainability (R&M) program plans
- Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Cost (RAM-C) reports
- life cycle sustainment plans
- R&M portions of the statement of work, technical specification, CDRLs and DIDs
- quality assurance plans
- test and evaluation master plans
- reliability growth curves / strategies.
Penderbrook also provides:
- review contractor deliverables to ensure compliance with contract statement of work, performance specifications and underpinning specification requirements
- development of independent cost estimates, risk assessments and design change impact assessments
- supportability trade off studies to assess the impact of alternative support concepts including the application of contractor logistics support and performance based logistics support alternatives.
In support of industry, Penderbrook conducts supportability related analyses including: failure mode and effects analysis, hazard analyses, repair level analysis, reliability centered maintenance analyses, training needs analyses, cost benefit analyses, and reliability and maintainability predictions. We are experienced in performing logistics supportability analyses and preparing all logistics products normally required during each phase of the system life cycle. Penderbrook Associates leverages our program management experience as well as our Fleet contacts to ensure products we deliver not only meet specification requirements, but also provide practical solutions that have been thoroughly vetted with the targeted user community.
LHA-6 Hull, Mechanical & Electrical Systems Readiness and Performance Based Logistics Analysis
Penderbrook Associates conducted a readiness assessment and performance based logistics (PBL) impact assessment on LHA-6 ship Hull, Mechanical & Electrical (HM&E) systems.
The project included development of a notional 6-month design reference mission (DRM) which defines system operating requirements and conditions in a wartime environment. The DRM was developed in cooperation with Navy Fleet representatives and resource sponsors.
- Mission essential HM&E systems and equipment and their operating requirements were defined based on the DRM.
- Reliability block diagrams were developed for HM&E systems based on ship design data and in conjunction with Navy engineers and shipbuilder engineers.
- Penderbrook Associates obtained HM&E equipment mean time between failure (MTBF) and mean time to repair (MTTR) values from the Penderbrook Associates Shipboard Equipment Reliability and Maintainability database.
- A computer simulation model of LHA-6 HM&E systems was developed using the Naval Sea System Command’s TIGER computer program and the system was modeled assuming the legacy Navy support structure would be used to provide replacement parts and sustain the systems.
The simulation model was utilized to determine Operational Availability (Ao) values for all HM&E systems as well as the individual propulsion, electrical, auxiliary, steering gear and machinery control subsystems that comprise HM&E systems. The analysis showed that the proposed LHA-6 HM&E system design attained Capabilities Development Document (CDD) threshold RMA requirements. Impact assessment studies were conducted on the auxiliary propulsion, ships service diesel engines and machinery control system to determine the benefit of applying a PBL to these new shipboard systems. The PBL impact analyses projected that a PBL support concept will increase the Ao of the targeted systems by 2-3% per system.
As a follow on effort, Penderbrook Associates developed the construction contract ship’s specifications section 076 (Reliability and Maintainability) which outlines reliability and maintainability program tasking and activities. Ship’s specification section 076 included recommended MTBF and MTTR threshold requirements for critical HM&E equipment to ensure equipment selected by the shipbuilder would have the required R&M attributes to attain LHA-6 CDD program Ao requirements.
Littoral Combat Ship Human Systems Integration Assessment Methodology
Penderbrook Associates supported the Navy in developing human systems integration (HSI) assessment approach for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. While developing the HSI assessment approach, LCS program HSI risks and challenges were identified.
The HSI assessment approach recommended application of the following tasks and activities:
- crew modeling for fatigue
- ship motion impact on human performance
- accessibility assessment of operations and maintenance tasks
- deep dive HSI assessments of targeted systems
- trainer effectiveness assessments
- usability of displays assessment
- crew modeling sensitivity analyses
- the application of assessment checklist for HSI elements related to habitability and environment, safety and occupational health (EOH).
For each assessment task or activity, details were provided related to required inputs, expected outcomes and the recommended analysis method. The HSI assessment methodology was developed in cooperation with the program office, Navy program managers, Fleet representatives, HSI subject matter experts and Navy HSI technical authority representatives.
Penderbrook Associates briefed Navy program sponsors and program stakeholders on the proposed HSI assessment methodology and its anticipated benefits.
Other Representative Projects: