| Abstract: | This paper is concerned with the assessment of reliability for equipment which is highly specialized. Of particular interest is the analysis of field data early in the life of the fleet of such equipment. Factors affecting the data underlying assessments are outlined, and a basic statistical model for describing these data is introduced. Methods of assessment of equipment reliability, and the precision of such assessments, are discussed, examples of data from this basic model are analysed, and further examples illustrate the role of model parameters. The model may also be used to analyse incomplete data sets, and we consider the penalty incurred at different levels of incompleteness. The paper concludes with a discussion outlining further possible modifications and refinements to the basic model. |
