Node A6 · Acronym decoder
RAM
Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability
What it actually means
The triad of "ility" disciplines: how often it breaks (reliability), how quickly it's restored (maintainability), and the resulting fraction of time it's usable (availability). These are design properties, set by architecture and parts choices early — testing later only measures what the design already decided. In program-controls contexts the same letters mean Responsibility Assignment Matrix.
Where you'll meet it
Specification trees, sustainment metrics, and reliability program plans.