Reliability Centered Maintenance Costing (RCMC)

The objective of this project is to develop, demonstrate, and successfully deploy a genetic algorithm-based, Reliability Centered Maintenance Costing (RCMC) tool and supporting application methodology to help users maximize propulsion system availability while simultaneously minimizing life cycle cost. Unlike on-condition maintenance (OCM), which involves repairs or replacements driven by policy (e.g., periodic maintenance schedules) and/or failure to meet specified form, fit, or function specification limits, the RCMC methodology considers the overall effects of possible maintenance actions _ or the risk of not performing those maintenance actions _ on aggregate level metrics like engine availability, performance, and life cycle cost. This effort expands the RCM concept to treat aircraft engines as part of a propulsion system that is either now, or at some point will be, part of an individual aircraft system. Using the products of this effort, users in the depot and field maintenance units will have visibility and decision support enabling them to develop effective engine maintenance plans and schedules in a user-friendly, multi-criteria optimization environment.