I address myself to all experts in the field of dependability, to all researchers and workers in the field of dependability who are interested in publishing their authentic results or new interpretations of the existing concepts and principles of dependability. The editorial board of the journal are open for a broad dialogue with authors and readers of the journal, we are interested in covering the state of the art of the dependability theory and practice and of course, the aspects of its further development.

The paper presents the methods for evaluating the mean time to failure (MTTF) of electronics products based on the application of DN distribution for various experimental and reference data on reliability – failure rate, failure probabilities, minimal time to failure, FIT. It is noted that MTTF predictive estimates based on exponential distribution are overstated by 70-500 times as compared to those based on DN distribution.

The article deals with forecasting the dependability indicators of state-of-the-art spacecraft onboard equipment. The authors demonstrate the applicability of the results of equipment and components testing for resistance to ionizing radiation in forecasting dependability indicators. They prove the applicability of Alfa distribution of time to failure in forecasting CMOS IC reliability and longevity. The paper presents design ratios for probability evaluation of fail-safe operation, mean time to failure and minimum operation time. Ways are shown to improve the resistance of state-of-the-art spacecraft onboard equipment through the use of specialized means of protection against the effects of ionizing radiation of the outer space. This research (No. 14-05-0038) was conducted with the support of the Higher School of Economics Academic Fund Program in 2014.

The article suggests formulas for identification of the mean failure rate of reconditioned rolling stock. The authors present the results of the research of the dependence of failure rate on the scope of lifespan recovery, number and frequency of maintenance operations before rolling stock replacement.

The paper presents the statistical processing of data on a car’s time to failure. During the experiment it was found out that time to failure of such car units as wheel pairs, bodies and bogies complies with a normal distribution law. Numerical values of distribution parameters have been calculated.

The article covers the methods and means of quality control and identification of dependable low-current electromagnetic relays based on the diagnostic value of properties. Software is suggested for selection of the most informative parameters and dependability classification of relays.

The article addresses the key problems, tasks and solutions within the system analysis methodology of software systems dependability. The author presents opinions regarding the solution of software systems dependability problems. The problems in question are classified and organized.

The offered paper describes a method of objective psychodiagnostics based on a wave model of brain and functional asymmetry of cerebral hemisphere. The definition of an individual psychological characteristic is carried out by measuring the domination of one of the hemispheres and coordination between them. The stated parameters are defined by two methods: measurement of electromagnetic radiation of cerebral hemispheres in a radio-wave range and measurement of a face phase portrait of the researched individual, in which required brain parameters are reflected. The developed hardware-software complexes are applied in health-improving medicine and human resource management, which leads to increase of reliability in definition of an individual psychological characteristic.

The paper presents the results of analysis of architectures for safety related system software. The basic components of architecture are defined, and the definition of safety related system software architecture is offered. Quality criteria are proposed, and comparison of defined components by the criteria is carried out. The paper offers results of comparison of applicable structures and styles that are proposed for application in software development to satisfy to the functional safety requirements specified in GOST R IEC 61508.

The paper studies the stability of the algorithm for solving the problem of optimal resources allocation for critical infrastructure protection against possible terrorist attacks based on subjective expert estimates. The results for different types of estimates (optimistic, moderate, pessimistic ones) are compared. Such analysis makes it possible to define what measures should be taken for each level of protection (or accepted level of vulnerability) and generally limited resources allocated for these measures.