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This paper presents a systematic approach to characterize integration challenges when implementing mission engineering and discusses some specific techniques to address these issues. With the introduction of mission engineering in the DOD science and technology lexicon, integration assumes a new dimension beyond the system product level. First, the authors offer a more precise definition of integration that focuses on incorporating a new technology or military capability into an existing organization's infrastructure. Using a collection of system integration literature and a set of examples, the authors define major problem areas regarding integration. Analyses of these issues present opportunities to identify specific methods to avoid or mitigate them. The resultant process is a foundation for mission engineering practitioners to plan successful integration of a new system. Acceptance of these procedures in the mission engineering community may lead to inclusion as standard practices in the DOD Mission Engineering Guide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a method by which material in- homogeneity may be taken into account in a reliability calculation. The method employs Monte-Carlo simulation; and introduces a material strength index, and a standard deviation of material strength to model the variation in the strength of a component throughout its volume. The method is compared to conventional load-strength interference theory. The results are identical for the case of homogeneous material, but reliability is shown to reduce for the same load as the component volume increases. The case of a tensile bar is used to explore the variation of reliability with component volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]