Assuring complex aircraft defence systems safety

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Sep 11, 2001

In today's defence arena the performance of core systems are dominated by software complexity. ERA ensures their safe, reliable and functionally correct operation, fundamental to victory.

In today's defence arena the performance of core systems are dominated by software complexity.

With its extensive knowledge of system safety, ERA provides support for complex defence software systems ensuring their safe, reliable and functionally correct operation, fundamental to battlefield supremacy.

ERA is currently involved in a MoD project to upgrade the Sea Harrier FA2.

ERA's part in the project involves carrying out extensive assessments of the Harrier's Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS), one of its critical programmable systems.

The MoD has confidence in the impartiality and expertise of the software quality and safety advice provided by ERA, as an independent organisation with significant experience in assessing safety critical systems and working to MoD standards.

This on-going upgrade project started in the mid 1990s.

During the feasibility study ERA provided the project office with advice on software-related aspects of the development including effort estimation, process and planning, architecture and safety integrity.

The project involved the recovery of existing functionality as well as the introduction of JTIDS.

In particular, ERA made estimates of the processing power and memory required for the JTIDS upgrade to verify that the proposed hardware would be sufficient.

The initial risk reduction and system design phase of the JTIDS upgrade was undertaken by two external organisations.

As well as auditing their work, ERA was involved in the Safety Working Groups and reviewed the system safety programme plan, preliminary hazard analysis and initial issues of the JTIDS hazard log.

ERA monitored the quality and delivery of the radar recovery against established procedures.

The risk reduction involved the definition and introduction of new systems and software processes and tools and their application to the recovery of selected functionality.

On behalf of the Integrated Project Team, ERA monitored and reported on the progress to ensure that the JTIDS system development teams were provided with mature processes, stable tools and effective guidance.

The full-scale development phase for JTIDS started in 1999 and the first software release will be tested during 2002 for release to service in 2003.

ERA is currently auditing the software developments against established plans and procedures.

The work plan has recently had to be adapted due to the strategy of alignment of the Sea Harrier and RAF Harrier processes that involved the adoption of an object-oriented software process.

With broad experience of both software and safety standards across a range of market sectors, ERA will provide the MoD, throughout the project, with advice which is consistent with mainstream safety philosophy and best practice across different industries.

As a contributor to the Integrated Project Team, ERA will help the MoD identify, manage and mitigate the risks associated with upgrading the Sea Harrier guaranteeing software system safety.