The application of level of repair analysis to military electronics programs

Abstract

During the early stages of the acquisition cycle for a military equipment, the question arises as to how the system will be maintained at an operationally capable level. The desired level of readiness must be balanced against the cost of system maintenance. The primary question to be answered is what is the optimum (i.e., least cost) maintenance concept which will allow the system to meet its specified performance goals. In order to answer this question, one must compare the costs associated with the possible choices in maintenance alternatives.

Level of Repair Analysis, or LORA for short, is an optimization technique used to determine the optimum level of repair for each component in the system. Premised on accurately addressing selected system life-cycle maintenance costs, the methodology, data requirements, and algorithms used to conduct a LORA are found in Military Standard 1390C, Level of Repair Analysis.

LORA examines the feasibility of repair from both technical (non-economic) and economic standpoints. The optimization process will determine whether it is feasible to repair an item, and if so, where and how.

While LORA is an excellent and necessary tool, like many analyses of its type, it has limitations. Like any analytical tool, one must understand both the strengths and weaknesses of the process to properly apply its techniques and interpret its results. Data collection and entry into a computer model can be made relatively easily. Paramount however to properly applying the techniques and results is a thorough understanding of the LORA process. Therefore, the primary focus of this project and report is to illustrate the strengths and limitations of the WRA process by its application to a specific example. It is not intended to pass judgement on the LORA process as implemented and utilized by DOD. Rather, it is intended that this report present an overview of the LORA process and detail some of the nuances one could expect to encounter when performing a LORA.

This report contains a description of the Level of Repair Analysis process and how this process was applied to a specific United States Department of Defense electronics system. This report documents the analysis (data and calculations used) to reach the repair and discard decisions for the NIXIE Signal Generator Engineering Change Kit for the AN/SLQ-25, a US Navy electronics equipment. This report differs from the one submitted under the contract in that it contains more theoretical detail on the overall LORA process and does not include any classified or proprietary data.