BAE Systems Research Articles

Current Status of the Community Sensor Model Standard for the Generation of Planetary Digital Terrain Models

The creation of accurate elevation models (topography) from stereo images are critical for a large variety of geospatial activities, including the production of digital orthomosaics, change detection, landing site analysis, geologic mapping, rover traverse planning, and spectral analysis. The United Stated Geological Survey, Astrogeology Science Center, continues to transition the supported planetary sensor models to the Community Sensor Model (CSM) standard. This paper describes the current state of use for this photogrammetric standard, supported sensor model types, and qualitatively compares derived topography between SOCET SET and SOCET GXP (®BAE Systems) using HiRISE stereo images of Mars. Our transition to the CSM standard will ensure an uninterrupted capability to make these valuable products for Mars and many other extraterrestrial planets and moons.

Full-scale modal testing of a Hawk T1A aircraft for benchmarking vibration-based methods

Research developments for structural dynamics in the fields of design, system identification and structural health monitoring (SHM) have dramatically expanded the bounds of what can be learned from measured vibration data. However, significant challenges remain in the tasks of identification, prediction and evaluation of full-scale structures. A significant aid in the roadmap to the application of cutting-edge methods to the demands of in-service engineering structures, is the development of comprehensive benchmark datasets. With the aim of developing a useful and worthwhile benchmark dataset for structural dynamics, an extensive testing campaign is presented here. This recent campaign was performed on a decommissioned BAE system Hawk T1A aircraft at the Laboratory for Verification and Validation (LVV) in Sheffield. The aim of this paper is to present the dataset, providing details on the structure, experimental design, and data acquired. The collected data is made freely and openly available with the intention that it serve as a benchmark dataset for challenges in full-scale structural dynamics. Here, the details pertaining to two test phases (frequency and time domain) are presented. So as to ensure that the presented dataset is able to function as a benchmark, some baseline-level results are additionally presented for the tasks of identification and prediction, using standard approaches. It is envisaged that advanced methodologies will demonstrate superiority by favourable comparison with the results presented here. Finally, some dataset-specific challenges are described, with a view to form a hierarchy of tasks and frame discussion over their relative difficulty.

Visual coherence in augmented reality training systems considering aerospace specific features

In May 2022, Saudi Arabian Military Industries, a Saudi government agency, acquired an augmented reality training platform for pilots. In September, the Boeing Corporation began the development of an augmented reality pilot simulator. In November, a similar project was launched by BAE Systems, a leading British developer of aeronautical engineering. These facts allow us to confidently speak about the beginning of a new era of aviation simulators – simulators using the augmented reality technology. One of the promising advantages of this technology is the ability to safely simulate dangerous situations in the real world. A necessary condition for using this advantage is to ensure the visual coherence of augmented reality scenes: virtual objects must be indistinguishable from real ones. All the global IT leaders consider augmented reality as the subsequent surge of radical changes in digital electronics, so visual coherence is becoming a key issue for the future of IT, and in aerospace applications, visual coherence has already acquired practical significance. The Russian Federation lags far behind in studying the problems of visual coherence in general and for augmented reality flight simulators in particular: at the time of publication the authors managed to find only two papers on the subject in the Russian research space, while abroad their number is already approximately a thousand. The purpose of this review article is to create conditions for solving the problem. Visual coherence depends on many factors: lighting, color tone, shadows from virtual objects on real ones, mutual reflections, textures of virtual surfaces, optical aberrations, convergence and accommodation, etc. The article reviews the publications devoted to methods for assessing the conditions of illumination and color tone of a real scene and transferring them to virtual objects using various probes and by individual images, as well as by rendering virtual objects in augmented reality scenes, using neural networks.

AI-Centric secure outer space operations

This article critically assesses the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in military operations, focusing on terrestrial warfare and outer space security. It offers four main points of discussion: 1) An evaluation of AI applications in terrestrial warfare, using real-world technologies such as Project Maven and BAE Systems’ Taranis; 2) an examination of AI’s contributions and risks in the field of cybersecurity; 3) an in-depth look at AI’s growing influence in space security, including technical aspects of systems like the U.S. Space-Based Infrared and the European Data Relay System; 4) an analysis of the ethical and policy challenges associated with AI deployment, informed by the author’s viewpoints on the necessity of international regulation. Drawing from various case studies and expert consultations, the article highlights AI’s capabilities in enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency while discussing the ethical and technical complexities it introduces. The study concludes by offering nuanced recommendations for responsibly integrating AI into military strategies and policies, especially those concerning space security. The aim is to inform and guide military professionals and policymakers by providing actionable insights for responsible decision-making in AI-augmented conflict scenarios on Earth and in space.

Are envelope stress responses essential for persistence to β-lactams in Escherichia coli?

Bacterial persistence to antibiotics defines the ability of small sub-populations of sensitive cells within an isogenic population to survive high doses of bactericidal antibiotics. Here, we investigated the importance of the five main envelope stress responses (ESRs) of Escherichia coli in persistence to five bactericidal β-lactam antibiotics by combining classical time-kill curve experiments and single-cell analysis using time-lapse microscopy. We showed that the survival frequency of mutants for the Bae, Cpx, Psp, and Rcs systems treated with different β-lactams is comparable to that of the wild-type strain, indicating that these ESRs do not play a direct role in persistence to β-lactams. Since the σE-encoding gene is essential, we could not directly test its role. Using fluorescent reporters to monitor the activation of ESRs, we observed that σE is induced by high doses of meropenem. However, the dynamics of σE activation during meropenem treatment did not reveal any difference in persister cells compared to the bulk of the population, indicating that σE activation is not a hallmark of persistence. The Bae, Cpx, Psp, and Rcs responses were neither induced by ampicillin nor by meropenem. However, pre-induction of the Rcs system by polymyxin B increased survival to meropenem in an Rcs-dependent manner, suggesting that this ESR might confer some yet uncharacterized advantages during meropenem treatment or at the post-antibiotic recovery step. Altogether, our data suggest that ESRs are not key actors in E. coli persistence to β-lactams in the conditions we tested.

Assessment of the influence of the ADC resolution of the coherent radar on the accuracy of determining the coordinate of the projectile flight

The article considers the development of a heavy-class robotic ground combat system based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier. Analysis of samples the heavy class combat robotic ground complexes showed that they can be developed on the basis of serial crewed military vehicles HMMWV (AM General), M-ATV (Oshkosh), BMP-3 (Russia), T-72 (Russia), M113 (Israel), Patria AMV (Finland) or create a new design MDARS (AM General), Black Knight (BAE Systems), "Uran-9" (Russia), TYPE-X (Milrem Robotics). They are made on a tracked or wheeled platform. What unites this class of robotic ground combat systems is a remotely controlled combat module with a 25-30 mm cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, a machine gun and a grenade launcher, which can be controlled from a distance.
 A comparative analysis of the tactical and technical characteristics the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier with military vehicles with a 30 mm cannon in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been performed. As a result, the choice of BTR-4E armored personnel carrier as the basic crew unit for the construction of a heavy class robotic ground combat system has been substantiated.The analysis of the design of control drives of the power plant, transmission, braking system, steering system and combat module installed on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier was carried out in terms of the possibility of implementing remote control of movement and fire. 
 The structure of a combat ground robotic complex based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier with different variants of remote control panels, means of establishing communication channels and construction of a remote control station is proposed.
 For example, the driver's remote control panel may be designed on the basis a tablet or on the basis a simulator for full simulation of control commands. Remote controls for the commander and gunner can be designed on the basis of regular controls and be similar to them for quick training of the crew to work.
 Communication between remote control units and the controlled armored personnel carrier can be arranged using ultrashort-wave radios or via the 4G, 5G mobile network.
 The remote control point can also be developed on the basis a BTR-4E armored personnel carrier, a military vehicle or deployed on the ground. It depends on the concept of application of the heavy class combat ground robotic complex.

Bespoke System Helps Meet Demands

BAE Systems Land solves a cleaning challenge for a wide range of components by acquiring a new system

Designing and implementing temporary works schemes on UK nuclear licensed sites

Nuclear projects in the UK demand high levels of assurance and substantiation during both design and construction. As a result, site licensees must demonstrate control over construction works in the vicinity of, or modifications to safety-related structures, systems and components in accordance with their nuclear site licence conditions. Furthermore, the Office for Nuclear Regulation will scrutinise designs, management controls and processes prior to permissioning the works. This paper discusses examples of additional considerations for the design and implementation of temporary works during the construction phase to demonstrate compliance with the regulators, Safety Assessment Principles and licence conditions, and to demonstrate that nuclear safety risks have been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable. References of good practice are from a confidential BAE Systems project in Cumbria, UK, titled D58, involving nuclear Class 1 concrete construction and informing of the steps taken to obtain Nuclear Safety Committee and regulatory permissioning.

The development of a heavy class combat robotic ground complex based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier

The article considers the development of a heavy-class robotic ground combat system based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier.
 Analysis of samples the heavy class combat robotic ground complexes showed that they can be developed on the basis of serial crewed military vehicles HMMWV (AM General), M-ATV (Oshkosh), BMP-3 (Russia), T-72 (Russia), M113 (Israel), Patria AMV (Finland) or create a new design MDARS (AM General), Black Knight (BAE Systems), "Uran-9" (Russia), TYPE-X (Milrem Robotics). They are made on a tracked or wheeled platform. What unites this class of robotic ground combat systems is a remotely controlled combat module with a 25-30 mm cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, a machine gun and a grenade launcher, which can be controlled from a distance.
 A comparative analysis of the tactical and technical characteristics the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier with military vehicles with a 30 mm cannon in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been performed. As a result, the choice of BTR-4E armored personnel carrier as the basic crew unit for the construction of a heavy class robotic ground combat system has been substantiated.
 The analysis of the design of control drives of the power plant, transmission, braking system, steering system and combat module installed on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier was carried out in terms of the possibility of implementing remote control of movement and fire.
 The structure of a combat ground robotic complex based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier with different variants of remote control panels, means of establishing communication channels and construction of a remote control station is proposed.
 For example, the driver's remote control panel may be designed on the basis a tablet or on the basis a simulator for full simulation of control commands. Remote controls for the commander and gunner can be designed on the basis of regular controls and be similar to them for quick training of the crew to work.
 Communication between remote control units and the controlled armored personnel carrier can be arranged using ultrashort-wave radios or via the 4G, 5G mobile network.
 The remote control point can also be developed on the basis a BTR-4E armored personnel carrier, a military vehicle or deployed on the ground. It depends on the concept of application of the heavy class combat ground robotic complex.

Identifying the physical mechanisms of polycrystalline lead salt photoconductors

Polycrystalline infrared lead salt detectors exhibit exceptionally high sensitivity near room temperature and, as such, are ubiquitous in commercial instruments such as spectrometers and flame detectors. The underlying physical mechanism behind this remarkable performance has been the subject of speculation for many years. In this treatise, data from work performed at BAE Systems and St. John's Optical Systems and from the published literature are analyzed to identify common mechanisms that contribute to the photoconductivity of polycrystalline lead salt detectors from a multitude of material deposition and process technologies, and it was concluded that much of the behavior can be attributed to surface-related phenomenon. Physical models are proposed to explain the observations. Finally, there is a brief description of measurements related to noise in these complex structures, indicating the importance of ohmic contacts, but the observed low frequency spectral noise density remains a mystery.

COMPREHENSIVE NUMERICAL HYDRODYNAMIC CAMPAIGN TO EVALUATE FRIGATE CONCEPT HULLFORM

A hullform was developed for a new frigate based on the parent hullform of an existing design. The new hullform is able to provide higher payload and stability performance, consequently increase its adaptability capability. Initial bare hull resistance to the new hullform concept was estimated using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). After the final fairing, a hydrodynamic campaign was defined to measure the hydrodynamic characteristics of the new concept. BAE Systems used, for the first time, numerical prediction methods to undertake a complete hydrodynamic campaign on a hullform. The campaign included Bare Hull Resistance, Propeller Nominal Wake Survey, Self- Propulsion, Appendage Alignment, Seakeeping and Manoeuvring. The current paper is focused on the Bare Hull Resistance Analysis. A validation was made against the available experimental results for the parent hullform. The validation showed a goodagreement. The validated numerical modelling was used in the new hullform evaluation. The results showed that despite the larger displacement, the new hullform hydrodynamic performance is similar to the parent hullform.

FULL AND SEMI AUTOMATED EARLY-STAGE SHIP LAYOUT GENERATION

The generation of cost-effective ship design solutions to sets of requirements demands a thorough examination of a wide trade space of potential solutions in order to ensure that the ultimately selected solution is the best that can be achieved within an affordable budget. As more options are explored in shorter times then inevitably the degree of detail that can be developed for each solution will decrease, potentially leaving risk that later development will increase the anticipated cost. Early-stage concept design tools are therefore evolving to provide more detail and faster analysis. The importance of ship layout in earlystage ship sizing has long been recognised and methods are required to generate confidence as quickly as possible, and that a practical compartment arrangement can be achieved on any given concept. The paper outlines the general approaches used, and presents example outputs, from a tool developed to make use of genetic algorithms and techniques already proven on existing system generation and analysis toolsets used by BAE Systems Naval Ships. The toolset adopts a staged approach involving a completely flexible mix of automated and manual operations to firstly allocate compartments to zones within a ship and secondly arrange the compartments within those zones. The tool supports the capture and utilisation of knowledge from experienced designers and enables a rapid generation of preliminary ship layout options, within an integrated concept trade space exploration process.

BAE Systems Unveils Litewave Head-Up Display

BAE Systems has unveiled LiteWave, a new lightweight, compact Head-Up Display (HUD) for use in commercial and military aircraft.

A Review on IMX‐101 and IMX‐104 Melt‐Cast Explosives: Insensitive Formulations for the Next‐Generation Munition Systems

AbstractIMX‐101 and IMX‐104 are novel insensitive melt‐pour explosives developed and produced by BAE Systems at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP). The U.S. Army has selected these two explosives as common low‐cost replacements for legacy explosives TNT and Composition‐B used in indirect fire weapons such as artillery and mortar munition systems. This paper will review the literature related to the properties and manufacturing processes of IMX‐101 and IMX‐104, including their physicochemical, thermal, explosive, and sensitivity properties as well as their behavior in Insensitive Munition (IM) tests specifically designed to simulate real threats and hazards faced by a munition on the battlefield. IMX‐101 has been qualified and is currently fielded in the 155 mm M795 and the 105 mm M1 rounds. IMX‐104 has been integrated into various mortar projectiles including the 60 and 81 mm rounds and is being evaluated as a main explosive charge in the next‐generation 155 mm family of ammunition, which includes the XM1128 Extended Range High Explosive round and the XM1113 Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP).

Do Speed and Proximity Affect Human-Robot Collaboration with an Industrial Robot Arm?

Current guidelines for Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) allow a person to be within the working area of an industrial robot arm whilst maintaining their physical safety. However, research into increasing automation and social robotics have shown that attributes in the robot, such as speed and proximity setting, can influence a person’s workload and trust. Despite this, studies into how an industrial robot arm’s attributes affect a person during HRC are limited and require further development. Therefore, a study was proposed to assess the impact of robot’s speed and proximity setting on a person’s workload and trust during an HRC task. Eighty-three participants from Cranfield University and the ASK Centre, BAE Systems Samlesbury, completed a task in collaboration with a UR5 industrial robot arm running at different speeds and proximity settings, workload and trust were measured after each run. Workload was found to be positively related to speed but not significantly related to proximity setting. Significant interaction was not found for trust with speed or proximity setting. This study showed that even when operating within current safety guidelines, an industrial robot can affect a person’s workload. The lack of significant interaction with trust was attributed to the robot’s relatively small size and high success rate, and therefore may have an influence in larger industrial robots. As workload and trust can have a significant impact on a person’s performance and satisfaction, it is key to understand this relationship early in the development and design of collaborative work cells to ensure safe and high productivity.

Process considerations for Product Lifecycle Management implementation for high-value Engineering-to-Order programmes

Abstract This paper presents the process considerations contained within the first ever framework for implementing Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) within high-value Engineering-to-Order (ETO) programmes. The scientific contribution of the research is the identification of the process-oriented factors that are instrumental in the successful implementation of PLM within an ETO context. The framework has been developed using a qualitative methodology based on the thematic analysis of 27 semi-structured interviews. The participants were senior personnel from 11 ETO organisations in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, the United States and Canada. The thematic analysis resulted in framework themes described in relation to the process objectives, challenges or enablers, and the contributing elements of the themes were then synthesised to illustrate their interconnectedness in supporting PLM implementation. Validation of the framework using 19 participants selected from seven ETO organisations resulted in 95% agreement with statements that assessed the quality, structure and versatility of the framework. This research contributed to the updated BAE Systems Maritime Naval Ships PLM strategy for the design, build and in-service support for the First of Class new generation Royal Navy vessel for a recent shipbuilding programme.

HULLFORM & HYDRODYNAMIC CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DESIGN OF THE UK FUTURE AIRCRAFT CARRIER (CVF)

An overview is provided of the manner in which hydrodynamic and hullform-related design considerations were addressed in the development of the BAE SYSTEMS team’s design proposal for the UK Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF). It also outlines how broader design considerations such as aviation, survivability and supportability requirements influenced these aspects of the design. A summary is also provided of some of the more detailed requirements development, option assessment and performance evaluation work that has been undertaken. The aircraft carrier designs discussed in this paper correspond to the BAE SYSTEMS team’s final design submission as it stood in January 2003, at the time it was discontinued by the UK Ministry of Defence, in favour of the rival Thales / BMT team design that has since been developed into the UK Royal Navy’s new ‘Queen Elizabeth’ class aircraft carrier. This final BAE SYSTEMS design submission consisted of two distinct design variants - one configured to operate a CTOL-based air group, the other configured to accommodate a STOVL air group. Both variants were based on a common ‘core’ ship design. The discussion presented in this paper is applicable to both variants.

HULLFORM & HYDRODYNAMIC CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DESIGN OF THE UK FUTURE AIRCRAFT CARRIER (CVF)

The author is to be congratulated in producing a paper for the journal on an important aspect (hydrodynamics) of a design, which was taken to a considerable level of definition before not being proceeded with. The fact that we so rarely get visibility of the thinking and effort behind “abortive” designs – so very little was allowed to be preserved of the cancelled CVA01 of the 1960s – and that this can be compared to the separately evolved, subsequently fully design and, now in 2017, about to go into service QUEEN ELIZABETH (QEC) carrier, makes this a very worthwhile document for the Transactions.
 Not only can the various detailed conclusions on the hydrodynamically related design choices be read for their input to the BAE Systems alternative to the Thales design, that was finally developed into the QEC (see S Knight’s 2009 RINA Conference paper), the paper also provides general insights into the interaction of one specific topic (hydrodynamics) with wider design developments. This can be instructive to future designers of complex ships – not just aircraft carriers. It could be argued that despite the growing capabilities of CFD tools, that there still appears to be a need for substantial model testing of discrete elements of the hydrodynamic design, as described. Would the author like to comment as to whether he sees this dual need for CFD and physical model testing likely to continue whenever new designs “are just that little bit too different” and how one might judge the latter?

Manufacturing Talent Search

Yamazaki Mazak, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Bentley Motors and BAE Systems have revealed their apprenticeship plans for 2022

Product Lifecycle Management implementation for high value Engineering to Order programmes: An informational perspective

This paper presents the first ever framework for implementing Product Lifecycle Management within high value Engineering to Order programmes. When implementing PLM, the organisation should first understand its strategic objectives and core processes and use this to decide on the PLM approach, which should influence the PLM system implementation. The research first highlights that the scale, complexity, uncertainty, long-lifecycle, maturity management and an inability to prototype ETO products results in significant challenges necessitating a tailored approach to PLM Implementation. Thematic analysis of 27 semi-structured interviews from PLM practitioners within ETO product development, was used to develop the framework to address these challenges. The interviewees were selected based on their relationship with PLM on ETO products either as an implementer or as a key stakeholder with an interest in its successful use within their organisation. The framework themes were described in relation to information, process, people and technology and were defined as being either objectives, challenges or enablers. 19 participants were selected from seven ETO organisations to validate the framework using statements that assessed the quality, structure, and versatility. 95% of the participants’ responses either agreed or strongly agreed with the statements. This research contributed to the updated BAE Systems Naval Ships PLM strategy for the design, build and in-service support for the First of Class new generation Royal Navy vessel for a recent shipbuilding programme.