R&M challenges of Warship Modernization

Using a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warship project, this paper illustrates Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) challenges and how these challenges can benefit from more effective R&M management. One of the major R&M challenges discussed in this paper is that while the system uses commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions as much as possible, the goal is to create a system that operates longer and requires less maintenance. This requires higher component reliability and system availability, sound maintenance planning and obsolescence management. This paper discusses the possible mitigation techniques of various challenges, particularly on obsolesce management. Although this paper uses a RCN project as an example for discussion purposes, the R&M challenges discussed herein apply to all defence and commercial systems. These challenges are not unique to this RCN project.