You are on page 1of 8

Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011

AER12A Systems Engineering [DRAFT] written by Jacob Schneider


Last amendment: 07/06/11

Page 1 of 8
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

Preformance Development &


Review Assembly

Initiate and
Integration
Deploy System

Figure 1: Customised approach to SE

Page 2 of 8
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

 high/low altitude short, medium, and long range bombing


 anti-marine warfare
 air-to-air
- advanced avionics package
 low key radar signature
 terrain masking
 long range reconnaissance
› aerodynamics
speed and manoeuvrability
radar reflectivity
long range
high service ceiling

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.

Figure 2: Project management


Image courtesy of http://www.hyperthot.com/pm_prin2.htm

Page 3 of 8
Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011

Displayed left, Figure 3 although basic, is an invaluable tool in the


project management cycle. It must be remembered that the
parameters of quality, speed, and cost effectiveness cannot be
balanced. There must always be a compromise and one element must
always be sacrificed. There are 3 options, designing a product;

› with speed and high quality at the consequence of cost,

› with speed and cost efficiency at the expense of quality,

› to a high quality, cheaply, over a long period of time.

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.

3.1 Conceptual Design

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.

Figure 4: (Right) Initial design process displaying the contribution of


specialist departments

3.2 Preliminary Design

Within this stage, placement decisions regarding


main systems such as those outlined in the
previous phase are finalised and major component
details begin to take shape. Sophisticated
schematics of base models and possible variations
(recon, VTOL, etc) start to surface; top, side, and
end elevations, accompanied by isometric
projections are produced along with the myriad of
detailed exploded and cross sectional drawings
relating to individual elements of the air craft from
each department.

Feasibility, efficiency, and potential weaknesses of


components such as the airframe and general aerodynamics
are tested at this level with the use of three-dimensional digital models to simulate the aircraft‟s
performance characteristics under user-controlled situations.

The end of this phase begins once final designs start to enter preparation for submission; performance
statistics collected in the virtual analyses are appended.

Page 4 of 8
Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011

3.3 Product Design

Once approval has been obtained and any necessary adjustments are made, final CAD compositions are
rendered and made available for actual development.

3 Development & Assembly

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.

5 Initiation & Deployment

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).

Figure 5: User-modified map of Australia


1 = RAAF Base Tindal,
2 = RAAF Base Amberley,
3 = RAAF Base Williamtown.
Base image courtesy of http://en.18dao.net/Map/Australia

Page 5 of 8
Aviation High Jacob Schneider Semester 3, Term 2 | 2011

6 Performance Review & Evaluation

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

Page 6 of 8
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

Courtesy of CASI‟s Scientific and Technical Information.

Page 7 of 8
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

Anon (2011). About us [Internet]. (Boeing Defence Australia).


Available: http://www.boeing.com.au/ViewContent.do?id=51982&aContent=About%20Us

Dawson, Alma (2011). Training Systems and Services [Internet]. (Boeing Defence, Space & Security).
Available: http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/support/training/docs/TSSbackgrounder.pdf

Anon (2011). F-111 strike aircraft [Internet]. (Royal Australian Airforce).


Available: http://www.airforce.gov.au/aircraft/f111.aspx

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 1 – User generated cycle of a customised approach to systems engineering

Figure 2 – Project management, available at http://www.hyperthot.com/pm_prin2.htm

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 4 –User generated process of conceptual design

Figure 5 – User modified map of Australia detailing RAAF fighter squadrons, source available at
http://en.18dao.net/Map/Australia

Page 8 of 8

You might also like