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Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011
I Introduction
The F-111 was a game changer for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1973; its twin engines and
variable geometry allowed for short take-off and landing (STOL) as well as the ability to travel at supersonic
speeds at tree top level thanks to its terrain-following radar. Throughout its deployment as the primary jet
fighter, this system earned the respect of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the public of whom it
protects. However after over 40 years of loyal service, the ADF has retired the iconic „Pig‟ and is actively
investigating a locally designed / assembled replacement fleet that equals or exceeds the capabilities of the
existing platform. This report aspires to outline the process through which a replacement aircraft could be
designed, constructed, integrated, and maintained by the RAAF.
II Systems Engineering
Systems engineering (SE) is an interdisciplinary management approach that integrates the collaboration of
people with technical knowledge to execute specified objectives through a balanced process with the
ultimate goal of meeting customer satisfaction.
The development of this platform will be executed by employing a customised approach adapted from the
internationally recognised S.I.M.I.L.A.R and waterfall systems engineering processes.
Customer
Requirements
Collaborative
Maintenance
Design
Initiate and
Integration
Deploy System
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Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011
2 Customer Requirements
In this segment the client defines its needs, intensions, and restrictions. In this case, the RAAF requires a
system that can transition into the role of a primary fighter/bomber and fulfil the 50% hole in Australia‟s air
power that the F-111C left upon retirement. The roles and conditions of the previous model, as well as the
future requirements must be thoroughly understood to ensure customer satisfaction. For the purposes of
this assignment, it can be assumed that such requirements would entail tasks expected of a next generation
fighter/bomber;
› tactical aerial combat support
armament
infantry support
Once requirements have been made clear (information regarding capabilities of the aircraft such as; range,
specialist features, materials, size, payload, time constraints, and budget), they are then processed through
management following a structure like the following illustrations.
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Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011
Figure 3: User-created image derived from “The project triangle” (found in the public commons:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Project_Triangle.svg)
3 Collaborative Design
The design of military aircraft is historically the longest phase of production as each aspect requires
cooperative effort amongst many specialists in their respective fields. With each progression the
development becomes increasingly intricate as more alterations are made. There are three main stages
within the design process, which is ultimately contributed to by several aeronautic architects and engineers
that form respective sub stages.
The ideation cycle begins following consultation from the various manufacturers within the contract;
conceptual drawings featuring possible placement of fundamental components such as engine(s), landing
gear, avionics, radar, fuel tanks, and basic geometry are rendered and proposed. Consistent involvement and
feedback from the client in these early stages plays a crucial role in fulfilling the expectations and objectives
of all parties. Various key decisions are made at this time predominantly concerning structural planning, i.e.
shape, weight, spatial style, and power.
The end of this phase begins once final designs start to enter preparation for submission; performance
statistics collected in the virtual analyses are appended.
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Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011
Once approval has been obtained and any necessary adjustments are made, final CAD compositions are
rendered and made available for actual development.
In this theoretical scenario, Boeing Australia would be the most practical and ultimately beneficial choice as
they are arguably the most reputable and reliable military aeronautics division in Australia. Their well-
known and consistent delivery of high quality solutions is a logical choice over trying to coordinate the
involvement of several component manufactures individually. With tight collaboration of their Boeing
Defence (BDA) and Aerostructures subsidiaries, a synergetic and uncomplicated workflow can be reached.
This decision would favoured by the Australian public as the project would be developed by an Australian
company with Australian employees.
4 Integration
Embedding a new system into such a large network requires extensive training and adaptation. The
coordination of this training would be facilitated between BDA and the RAAF. Selected squadrons (such as
former F-111C Squadrons No 1 & No 6 from RAAF Base Amberley) would engage in Boeing managed training
provided by the Training Systems and Services (TSS) program, headquartered in St. Louis but available for
global deployment. The TSS offers tailored education of systems and support and is inclusive to Boeings‟
customer commitment; this initiative allows for the reduction in total ownership expense and general
convince. Because this aircraft will be manufactured in Australia, tuition for aircrew (pilot, possibly
navigator) and maintenance personnel can be facilitated in-country unlike the past where the RAAF have
adopted an un-native system and training must be outsourced to a foreign branch.
Once development and training are completed, the system is ready to be launched as a combat ready fleet
prepared for deployment where needed. Possible placements could include No 1 and No 6 Squadrons (RAAF
Base Amberley), No 3 and No 77 Squadrons (RAAF Base Williamtown), and No 75 Squadron (RAAF Base
Tindal).
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Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011
In the early stages of operating a new fleet, it is a vital practice to analyse the performance of crews to
identify which areas could use improvement and provide corrective and constructive feedback where
necessary to ensure operational safety, efficiency, and integrity.
7 Maintenance
Also provided by the TSS is maintenance crew training. It is here that engineers yielding from avionics,
mechanical, and structural proficiencies will learn how to repair, modify and uphold a mechanically healthy
and safe outfit for the duration of the fleets‟ life span.
II Conclusion
In summary
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Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011
II Appendices
List of possible mechanisms that could be involved but not limited to whilst testing prototype aircraft
(simulated and actual);
- aeroelasticity
the science in which the relationship between inertial, aerodynamic, and elastic in flight are studied
- cabin pressurization and depressurization systems
- structural integrity
- ejection systems and seats
- hydraulics
- inflatable structures
- landing gear
- pneumatic systems
- tail surfaces
- tires
- transition flight
- body-tail combinations
- wing-body combinations
- wings
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Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011
III References
Pao, Peter (n.d). The Myth of Systems Engineering [Internet]. (No publishing details known).
Available: http://www.seas.ucla.edu/mae/The%20Myth%20of%20System%20Engineering%20-
%20presentation.pdf
Bond, Alan & Ricci, Richard (1992). Cooperation in Aircraft Design [Internet]. (University of California).
Available: http://www.exso.com/intcadcam/red92.pdf
Steeman, Gerald (2011). Aircraft Design, Testing and Performance [Internet]. (NASA Center for AeroSpace
Information).
Available: http://www.sti.nasa.gov/sscg/05.html
Dawson, Alma (2011). Training Systems and Services [Internet]. (Boeing Defence, Space & Security).
Available: http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/support/training/docs/TSSbackgrounder.pdf
Lec 1 | MIT 16.885J Aircraft Systems Engineering, Fall 2005 [Internet, online lecture]. (Massachusetts
Institute of Technology).
Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiYhQtGpRhc
IV Figures
Figure 3 - User-created image derived from “The project triangle” (found in the public commons:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Project_Triangle.svg)
Figure 5 – User modified map of Australia detailing RAAF fighter squadrons, source available at
http://en.18dao.net/Map/Australia
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