AFMCI21-103 — Reliability-centered Maintenance (rcm) Programs

AFMCI21-103 governs Reliability-Centered Maintenance programs and preventive maintenance requirements for Air Force Materiel Command weapon systems and equipment.

Search AFMCI21-103

  • Publication number: AFMCI21-103
  • Title: RELIABILITY-CENTERED MAINTENANCE (RCM) PROGRAMS
  • Date: 2025-12-11

View AFMCI21-103 on armypubs.army.mil


It covers RCM program definition, initial and in-service systems analysis, decision logic, interval determination, and contracting. It requires documented, data-driven analysis to establish, assess, update, and sustain preventive maintenance requirements.

Applies to: This publication applies to all AFMC units of the Regular Air Force.

Topics covered

  • Reliability-Centered Maintenance programs
  • Preventive maintenance requirements
  • Initial RCM analysis
  • In-service systems analysis
  • Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis
  • PM interval determination
  • RCM contracting

Questions and answers

What does an RCM program ensure?

RCM programs ensure that maintenance practices support the safest and most reliable operation of which the weapon system or equipment end item is capable. (paragraph 2)

How often must preventive maintenance requirements be assessed?

The Program Manager must assess PM requirements for systems and equipment at least every 2 years. (paragraph 4)

What must be done with initial and updating RCM analyses?

The initial RCM analysis and all updating analyses must be documented and archived to preserve the history and rationale for maintenance tasks. (paragraph 4)

What must new acquisition and modification programs use to develop preventive maintenance requirements?

New acquisition and modification programs must use the RCM process to develop and document PM requirements. (paragraph 4)

What must happen when a new maintenance requirement may result from a reported problem or modification?

Each reported problem or modification that may result in establishing new maintenance requirements must be analyzed using RCM. (paragraph 4)

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