Integrating Prognostics and Health Management in the Design and Manufacturing of Future Aircraft

Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) is a multidisciplinary framework that provides vital information to operators to ensure maximum system uptime and system safety. It does this by estimating the current and future condition (health) of engineering systems and providing decision support. In recent years, PHM has evolved from being a post hoc maintenance support tool to an essential system that should be integrated throughout all stages of the equipment lifecycle. This chapter describes the essential steps of how PHM can be used in the design and manufacturing of future aircraft. There are many benefits in adopting and evaluating PHM in the design stage. This includes a system that is ultimately easier to monitor and maintain, has better logistics, has reduced overall costs, and has less unplanned downtime. As such, it is argued here that PHM should be designed together with the aircraft. Therefore, this chapter proposes a methodology that includes PHM considerations at all stages of aircraft design. By promoting the integration of these disciplines − PHM, engineering design and manufacturing −, we hope to contribute to more reliable and safe aircraft that can achieve more cost-effective operations and a more sustainable future.