In:
Operations Research and Reliability, Ed: D. Grouche, S. 47 ff, Gordon and Breach, London, 1971
Reliability is one of many factors influencing the effectiveness of complex systems. Thus, specification of system reliability requires a trade-off between reliability and all other parameters that affect system effectiveness. This trade-off is exemplified on an aircraft weapon system where reliability is investigated versus factors such as mission survivability, environmental and human factors, and system performance. A method to determine adequate efforts to improve component reliability of an aircraft weapon system is discussed where a total system reliability margin is postulated and the system costs are minimized.