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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, AFV turrets and cannon, CVF safety support and stores management.
  • 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, in a 20 person-year project to JSP420 and Def Stan 00-55, and radar control software for a defence trials site.
  • We developed a SIL 4 landing system for pilots, providing critical functionality that guided the landing operation in challenging environments.

Why Praxis for Aerospace and Defence?

Praxis has a fundamental understanding of the demanding requirements for both software and safety in the defence and civil aerospace markets. It has 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.

We have unrivalled experience and expertise in formal software development methods, such as Z, SPARK, Artisan, Esterel and UML, backed by general software expertise in Java, Ada and C/C++ subsets. Coupled with state of the art safety management and systems engineering expertise this 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.

Altran Praxis Aerospace & Defence case image

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

Civil aviation continues to grow globally. There is increasing demand for more national and international travel ranging from small business jets through to the largest of passenger aircraft. At the same time, the industry is required to reduce emissions and to maintain and improve its strong safety record. As people travel by air on a frequent basis, there is also an increased customer demand for better connectivity and infotainment.

Within the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), Def Stan 00-56 sets the standard for safety management. Civil Aerospace is guided by DO178B, to be superseded by DO178C in 2010.

On the defence side, the recent investigation into the Nimrod R1 XV230 accident, called for significant improvements in the practice of military safety management. Public financing remains a challenge, and the recent Gray report into the efficiency of UK MoD Procurement has highlighted major shortcomings.

A combination of challenging regulatory standards and financial pressures, means risk is increasing across the aerospace and defence markets. While moving to Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) software may reduce risk and cost this needs to be balanced against the specific requirements of mission critical applications.

"Thales, the Prime Contractor, selected 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