The Role of the Design Engineer in the Field Support of Complex Airborne Electronic Equipment

The success of a complex airborne electronic equipment is highly dependent upon a well-planned and timely implemented field support program. The design engineer, however, plays a very fundamental and basic role and the fulfilment of his responsibilities is of major importance. In following good engineering design practice he must consider the requirements imposed by the field. Among these are packaging, the incorporation of self-testing circuitry and test points, and accessibility of adjustments and components, all of which contribute to ease of maintenance, thus reducing the turn around time of nonoperating equipment. Of equal importance is his analysis of field failure reports, reflecting where necessary any improvements into the design of the equipment.