Mission reliability is defined as the ability of an item to perform its required functions for the duration of a specified “mission profile.”

Mission reliability thus defines the probability of non-failure of the system for the period of time required to complete a mission. The probability is a point on the reliability function corresponding to a time equal to the mission length. All possible redundant modes of operation must be considered in describing reliability, mission reliability,and system effectiveness.

References:

1. MIL-HDBK-338, Electronic Reliability Design Handbook, 15 Oct 84
2. MIL-STD-721, Definitions of Terms for Reliability and Maintainability, 23 Oct 91