A Typical Failure Mode and Effects Analysis for EMA Used for UAV and Guided Missile

Abstract

Scout and strike UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is one of the important products of latest UAV technology, which is becoming prevalent in modern war. The scout and strike UAV can complete scout tasks efficiently and hit the target with the guided missile accurately. And also the military use of scout and strike UAV brings low casualty. It attracts more and more attention. EMA is the actuator of the UAV and the guided missile. It controls the control surface, rotation of which determines the flight attitude, exerting heavy influence on the flight safety. Failure mode and effects analysis is an important tool for EMA (Electronic Mechanical Actuator) design, for the simple reason that it helps to assess EMA reliability, maintainability and safety. In this paper, a typical failure mode and effects analysis is conducted with EMA as the research object. EMA system definition and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) basic principle are presented. And then the detailed analysis is given based on some certain rules and the FMEA table illustrates the analysis. To summarize, the failure mode and effects analysis offers reference for EMA design. With it, the weak part in the design can be found and some potential risks can be eliminated in early stages of EMA design.