Platform level reliability assessment of an unmannedrotary wing aerial vehicle

Phase mission reliability analysis has gained significance due to the increasing complexity of technological systems and the need for missions involving multiple phases. Since 1970s, phase mission reliability studies have been at the forefront, particularly in the aviation industry. This thesis develops a phase mission reliability analysis model for an unmanned helicopter platform. The mission is divided into phases, and the failure modes of the engine, fuel, landing gear, and navigation systems for each phase are identified. These failure modes are evaluated using Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and analyzed using the Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) method to calculate failure probabilities. During the analysis process, PTC Windchill software is employed to compute system failure rates and determine reliability levels across different phases. Failure scenarios are created for three distinct mission phases (takeoff, cruise, and landing), and reliability values are obtained accordingly. The unique failure modes of each system are identified, phase-specific reliability values are aggregated, and the overall reliability of the platform is determined. This study demonstrates how phase mission reliability can be applied specifically to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and illustrates how failure analysis methods can be effectively utilized for such systems. Ultimately, this research highlights the importance of phase-based analysis in enhancing the reliability of UAV systems and provides practical methodologies applicable to engineering projects