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Sectors : Defence

Pedigree

From the very outset Altran Praxis’ work in aerospace and defence, both civil and military, has focussed on helping its customers meet the demanding requirements of high-integrity software intensive systems. We lead the way in software and safety engineering policy and practice and have completed many major projects in avionics, Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV), land systems, naval systems, space and Air Traffic Management (ATM).

Focus

  • The specification, design and development of high-integrity software, up to and including the highest integrity levels.
  • Partnering with prime contractors to develop safety cases on major projects and programmes, following accepted safety management and safety analysis methods and applying innovative methods to achieve effective results.
  • Creating innovative solutions to complex challenges, leveraging our expertise in system-, software-, safety-, and security- engineering, from advanced technology such as specification, modelling, implementation, verification and validation, to Human Machine Interface (HMI) and connectivity.

Example Aerospace and Defence projects

  • As safety partner to Thales on the Watchkeeper UAV, we lead the construction of the safety case: a first for unattended flight. Our approach to the production and management of the electronic safety data is groundbreaking in both utility and maintainability.
  • We have undertaken safety analyses compliant to Def Stan 00-56, across a wide range of defence equipment, including aircraft radar, in-service weapon assessment, NATO command and control, FRES turret and cannon, CVF safety support and stores management systems.
  • Working alongside STS Defence, analysing supportability of Military ATM systems.
  • Engaged for eight years by a prime contractor to provide full Safety Case development and maintenance for IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) technology across 30 air, sea and land platforms.
  • Over the past 10 years, we have been the software partner to a major aerospace engine manufacturer, creating multiple software releases to budget and within the required standards.
  • We have worked on many software projects, civil and military. Recent examples include the control software for a submarine-based countermeasures system, radar control software for a defence trials, SIL4 Landing Systems, avionics support for C130J, Typhoon and Hawk.

Why Praxis for Aerospace and Defence?

Altran Praxis has a fundamental understanding of the demanding requirements for both software and safety in the defence and civil aerospace markets. We have a proven track record for delivering compliant systems and for achieving certification into service, whether as a specialist consortium partner or as a major subcontractor our systems engineering expertise means we will make a real difference to you and your end customer.

Case reference

Engine Monitoring Unit (EMU) software for a commercial jet engine.

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Challenge

Our contract was to develop the Engine Monitoring Unit (EMU) software for a commercial jet engine. EMU technology analyses engine performance data in-flight and reports on the condition of the engines to ground-based engineers. This information, drawn from measurement of vibration, pressure and temperature, enables rapid predictive maintenance, increased operational flexibility and lower cost of ownership.

Engagement and approach

Requirements were jointly developed in close team working with the client. The software was designed using UML, and implemented in SPARK, under the requirements of DO178B. The very demanding system performance was critical to the project’s success, and performance analysis was undertaken throughout.

Outcome

The system is now operational. Service teams are able to access near real-time trending data over a web link, resulting in a major improvement in service response.

Market Factors

The Strategic Defence and Safety Review is published, so the government direction becomes clearer.

Attending the recent post-SDSR briefing by Peter Luff, Altran Praxis were informed of the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy Policy.

Denton Clutterbuck Head of ASD for Altran Praxis states “This is an important next step, UK PLC can now work together to focus on strategic industrial capability. The combination of managing safety, driving down cost, working bi-laterally and generating exports, are challenges we look forward to.”

RTCA DO-178C is described as a “tidying up” of DO-178B. But how far will it go in defining acceptable approaches for developing the most critical systems. We continue to wait, but the IET recently indicated RTCA was “getting ready to publish”.

UAV certification continues to be a hot topic, with Altran Praxis playing a leading role. Now engaged in Ground Control as well as platform safety cases, we are supporting a number of customers in this complex area.

As the Military Airworthiness Authority continues to take shape, how will it influence MoD procument in Land and Sea domain?

UK and French Governments sign a 50 year co-operation agreement for equipment procurement and interoperation.

"Thales, the Prime Contractor, selected Altran Praxis to be the safety partner for the UK MoD Watchkeeper UAV programme. The project consists of three elements: management of the safety programme for all Watchkeeper subcontractors; providing safety advice to Thales; producing the safety case".
Sub Contract Programme Manager, Thales Aerospace Division
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