BAE Systems Research Articles

BAE Systems overhauls training

BAE Systems overhauls training

GPS Landing System Reference Antenna

The GPS landing system (GLS) is a reality today, and will undoubtedly become the workhorse system in the future. GPS aircraft navigation is currently utilized for aircraft en-route, terminal, and initial-approach navigation. It is expected that in 2009, a Category I GPS landing system will start its initial phase of a worldwide deployment. The ARL-1900 antenna was designed specifically to satisfy the stringent requirements for the Category I, II, and III GPS landing system reference-receiver stations. A difficult problem for a Category I, II, and III GPS landing systems is the mitigation of ground-reflected multipath effects. The antenna must provide coverage of the upper hemisphere while suppressing ground-reflected multipath. In addition, the antenna must operate at the L1, L2, and L5 GPS frequencies, have right-hand circular polarization, and ideally have constant carrier and code (group) delay throughout the coverage region. Over a period of 15 years, BAE Systems has developed the ARL-1900 antenna, a unique antenna with near-ideal performance that satisfies the stringent requirements for a Category I, II, and III GPS landing systems. This paper reviews the requirements for a GPS landing system reference antenna, presents the design principles for the ARL-1900 antenna, describes its implementation, and presents performance data.

Common factors in the withdrawal of European aircraft manufacturers from the regional aircraft market

We investigate whether there were common causes for the withdrawal from the regional aircraft market of three established manufacturers (BAE Systems, Fokker and Saab), while competitors thrived. We focus on the markets for 50- and 100-seat aircraft. One cause concerning the 50-seat market was the introduction of a new class of aircraft, the regional jet, which pushed the less successful turboprop aircraft from the market. Turboprop aircraft that had been relatively successful before the introduction of regional jets survived. A probable reason for the withdrawal of BAE Systems and Fokker from the 100-seat market (in which Saab was not present) was that their products were ‘standalone’ aircraft, while those of their successful competitors were members of aircraft families, the larger members being far more successful. It was not the availability of technology that determined the success of regional aircraft manufacturers, but the application of (suppliers’) technology in new products.

Re‐articulating the ethical corporation: the case of the Woolf Committee Report

PurposeEfforts to address the role and responsibilities of large global corporations have predominantly focused on the need for increased and more effective global corporate governance, but this underestimates the need to articulate a global ethics for these corporations. This paper aims to analyse the Woolf Committee Report (WCR; the weapon company BAE Systems plc's attempt to outline what it would take to become a global corporate leader in ethics) and benchmark it against an ethical response to corporate responsibility articulated as a global ethics.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a textual analysis of the WCR.FindingsThe WCR contains openings towards a re‐articulation of the role and responsibilities of large global corporations, but it is predominantly a text that gives us more clues to how difficult it will be for BAE, or any other corporation, to “live” a global ethics.Research limitations/implicationsCritical analyses of the language that corporations use in order to address their role and responsibilities are important. However, how texts influence practice is dependent on how they travel and more studies on such journeys are also needed.Practical implicationsGiven that textual analyses, such as ours, are re‐connected to practitioners, such studies might contribute to making practitioners more discursively aware of the corporate talk that they are embedded in.Originality/valueThe paper predominantly speaks to the field of business studies and its originality lies in its focus on a global ethics (without reducing this to governance) in relation to the role and responsibilities of large global corporations.

Life cycle cost modelling as an aircraft design support tool

This article summarizes the work that has been carried out as part of the FLAVIIR project, a 5-year research programme looking at technologies for future unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). This is a UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council funded project sponsored by BAE systems. A framework to estimate the life cycle cost of UAVs is presented. The acquisition costs are estimated using a hierarchical structure and a discrete simulation model is used to estimate the maintenance and operation costs. The architecture to estimate the life cycle cost and the associated models are described. A framework is presented in which the cost models developed can be integrated into the design process to facilitate the comparison between different configurations. It is then demonstrated how this framework can be used to perform trade-off analysis and cost-based optimization.

Technology Focus: Knowledge Management and Training (October 2009)

Technology Focus The inevitable cycles of the energy industry will continue, as will the perceived need for intellectual capital by the oil and gas finders and producers. Intellectual capital is not a line item on a company's balance sheet, yet it is probably one of its most important assets. Organizations take varying approaches to building intellectual capital, from organic development of knowledge to outright acquisition. In an industry that is gradually evolving away from traditional business models, knowledge management will remain a keystone. A wide spectrum presents itself among the 61 papers that comprise this year's offering for this feature. The recurring themes of real-time data capture, data validation, and protocol for data transmission are prevalent. However, a few new, refreshing, worthy trends emerge. These trends appear to evolve beyond the rudimentary "nuts and bolts" of how to handle the substantial volumes of data [now measured in petabytes (1015 bytes)] to building somewhat cerebral processes that will deliver, yes, intellectual capital. Surveillance. Deepwater is a province counted on to deliver the next tranche of significant reserves from known basins of the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, or Brazil or from evolving areas offshore India and Oman. Experienced engineering resources are, more often than not, focused on project engineering rather than on routine surveillance. Yet, this expertise is necessary for surveillance to be both efficient and successful. To bridge this business dichotomy requires development and deployment of knowledge-management tools whereby the expertise of engineers with 25+ years" experience is captured and made available to the 5-years"-experience resources. Advanced Collaborative Environments. It is encouraging that significant investment is being made in environments with clearly stated objectives of improving knowledge capture and eventual application, as well as leveraging the skills and knowledge of experts both internally and externally. Furthermore, an exciting readiness exists to learn from other industries (e.g., the military has had large-scale collaborative projects in place for many years). Strategic Decision Making. The use of tools in decision making, such as advanced risk analysis, value-of-information evaluation, and real-options analysis, is becoming commonplace. How does one guarantee the optimum subjective judgment by experts, or, put differently, how does one invest the company's intellectual capital wisely? With at least a decade of talk on knowledge management under its belt, clearly, the energy industry is refining its approach and beginning to realize dividends of investing in its intellectual capital. Knowledge Management and Training additional reading available at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org IPTC 12035 • "Improvements in the Management of Structured and Unstructured Data" by Mike Garbarini, ExxonMobil, et al. SPE 123213 • "Strategic Decision Making in the Digital Oil Field" by B. Jafarizadeh, SPE, University of Stavanger, et al. SPE 123096 • "What Lessons Can Digital-Oilfield Practitioners Learn From Defence Initiatives Such as Network-Enabled Capability?" by Michael Popham, SPE, BAE Systems, et al.

BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 project avoids dual system costs

BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 project avoids dual system costs

Impact damage and repair of composite structures

AbstractThis paper gives an overview of the work carried out in a GARTEUR (Group for Aeronautical Research and Technology in Europe) program, under the chairmanship of the author, to develop and validate analytical and numerical methods to characterise real impact damage in composite structures, particularly those designed to sustain load in a postbuckled state, and to study the durability of bonded repairs. GARTEUR is an inter-governmental agreement between the seven European countries with the largest direct employment in the Aerospace industry, to mobilise scientific and technical knowledge between the member countries. A number of Action Groups have been launched, since GARTEUR’s inception in the early 1970s, to address specific technical issues of interest to the participating members. The research presented in this paper was performed under Action Group 28 with partners from ONERA, EADS-CCR (France), DLR, AIRBUS-Deutschland, EADS-M (Germany), CIRA (Italy), INTA (Spain), SICOMP, Saab, (Sweden), NLR (The Netherlands), QinetiQ, BAE Systems, Imperial College London and the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom). The Action Group tasks were divided into four Work Elements (WEs): WE1-Prediction and characterisation of impact damage, WE2-Postbuckling with delamination, WE3-Repair and WE4-Fatigue. This paper outlines the main developments and achievements within each Work Element.

6.1.1 A structured approach to planning and managing systems engineering capability evolution in a complex through‐life business space

AbstractThis paper presents ongoing work to structure how we transform systems engineering capabilities to address the how to engineer with a focus on operational capabilities rather than just systems. The paper is based on BAE Systems capability development work, informed by engagement with UK MOD as they move towards managing for capability outcomes.The approach taken has been to construct a concept model and a management process: Model – the priorities for the model are clarity and simplicity. The model describes a framework divided into cells in which to describe the systems engineering capabilities necessary to conceive, develop, support and operate systems to realise operational capability. Process – the process covers both the early discovery stage, and the predicted longer term phase of capability evolution.The paper discusses results to‐date and potential future work towards a more rigorous description and assessment tool, intended to have wide applicability.

THE FIRST 70NM 6-INCH GaAs PHEMT MMIC PROCESS

BAE Systems has developed a high power, high yield 70nm 6" 2-mil PHEMT MMIC process for frequencies up to 100GHz. Utilizing T -gate technology and 2-mil substrates, we have created a millimeter wave technology that produces excellent performance from Ka -band through W -bands. The device DC and RF characteristics have excellent uniformity across the wafer. In this paper, we report the 70nm device fabrication on 6-inch wafers and compare the DC and RF characteristics with its mature 0.1µm counterpart.

Retooling anthropology: A response to Hart/Ortiz and Gudeman (AT24[6

Retooling anthropology: A response to Hart/Ortiz and Gudeman (AT24[6

Comparison of two model based residual generation schemes for the purpose of fault detection and isolation applied to a pneumatic actuation system

This paper discusses research carried-out on the development and validation (on a real plant) of a parity-equation and Kalman filter based fault detection and isolation (FDI) system for a pneumatic actuator. The parity and Kalman filter equations are formulated and used to generate residuals that, in turn, are analysed to determine whether faults are present in the system. Details of the design process are given and the experimental results are compared. The results demonstrate that both approaches can successfully detect and isolate faults associated with the sensors, actuators (servo-valves and piping) and the pneumatic cylinder itself. The work is part of a BAE SYSTEMS sponsored project to demonstrate advanced control and diagnosis concepts on an industrial application.

SotonAUV: the design and development of a small, manoeuvrable autonomous underwater vehicle

The University of Southampton's entry into the Student Autonomous Underwater Challenge-Europe (SAUC-E) 2007 was a custom designed and built autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) named 'SotonAUV'. Originally developed for SAUC-E 2006, the vehicle was significantly upgraded for the 2007 competition. The mechanical design of the vehicle is described, and an overview of the autonomy and control approaches employed is provided. The updated vehicle successfully competed in SAUC-E 2007, winning first place in the overall competition and taking the BAE Systems prize for innovation in autonomy.

A Fragile Consensus on Regulating Transnational Corruption - A Case Study of the OFFP and BAE Scandals

The revelation of widespread corruption in the Oil-for-Food Programme and the recent scandal involving the British arms manufacturer BAE Systems threatens to unravel the fragile global consensus on combating corruption. This paper outlines the emerging global consensus and legal framework on corruption and assesses the extent to which this consensus has been undermined by the above mentioned revelations of corruption. Both incidents provide interesting context in which to analyse some of the difficult issues presented in the regulation of transnational corruption. The regulation of transnational corruption provides a framework for analyzing the critical dimensions of the interaction between the norms in various domestic communities and the transnational context of these interactions. The paper argues that the current framework of multilateral efforts to curb transnational corruption is unable to tackle the problem effectively and concludes that the liability framework for engaging in transnational corruption has almost exclusively been the result of political expediency rather than that of empirical information. By examining the multilateral efforts by the international community to combat corruption, the paper generates questions about the status and future direction of the fight against corruption under international law.

Aerospace and Maritime Finishing

The event commenced with a tour around a new Grit Blast and Paint Facility operated by the above company. Tour guides were BAE System staff members Mr K. Ford and Mr A. Barnard. The facility is of a significant scale servicing large maritime and defence applications such as radars and antenna systems. A wide range of paints conforming to military specifications can be applied. It has separate grit blast and paint spray booths. Each booth is 13 m long by 6 m in width. Height is 4.5 m. Full safety, health and environmental control systems are installed. Recycling is a high priority with grit blasting media and paint solvent being recycled. ‘Tourists’ commented positively on the facility, particularly the high standard of cleanliness and housekeeping.

Graduate development, discursive resources and the employment relationship at BAE Systems

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution of an employee opinion survey and to evaluate its impact on the graduate training programme and associated employment relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a detailed, longitudinal case study of one large‐scale UK organisation. The approach recognises that discursive resources have a material existence in the sense that they are embodied in the social practices of individuals and the institutions and organisations within which these social practices take place. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data, the paper demonstrates how the design, delivery and evaluation of the graduate programme formed a learning nexus between management, graduates and other stakeholders.FindingsThe case study highlights the contested nature of organisational life, particularly in relation to matters of control and autonomy. However, improved graduate opinion survey ratings over time suggest that the evolving surveillance offered by internal research has been successful in achieving changed management behaviours. The case study has shown how graduate training, development and career management are best understood as discursive practices. Shared understandings about the nature of work are constructed though a communications nexus of key stakeholders.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper is to highlight the pivotal role of the corporate training programme and associated communications in the development of shared understandings of the nature of the employment relationship.

A HIGH-RESOLUTION 2D IMAGING LASER RADAR FOR OCCLUDED HARD TARGET VIEWING AND IDENTIFICATION

BAE SYSTEMS has developed a Low Cost Targeting System (LCTS) consisting of a FLIR for target detection, laser-illuminated, gated imaging for target identification, laser rangefinder and designator, GPS positioning, and auto-tracking capability within a small compact system size. The system is based upon BAE Systems proven micro-bolometer passive LWIR camera coupled with Intevac's new EBAPS camera. A dual wavelength diode pumped laser provides eyesafe ranging and target illumination, as well as designation; a custom detector module senses the return pulse for target ranging and to set the range gates for the gated camera. Trials show that the current detectors offer complete extinction of signals outside of the gated range, thus, providing high resolution within the gated region. The images have shown high spatial resolution arising from the use of solid state focal plane array technology. Imagery has been collected in both the laboratory and the field to verify system performance during a variety of operating conditions.

Analysis: Ethical bind

As it pushes for a greater global presence, BAE Systems is struggling to shake off accusations of unethical business practices, writes Bob Cervi.

The escape of blast from fragmenting munitions casings

Abstract Researchers in the fields of explosives safety or effects often need to estimate the impulse delivered by blast escaping from the fragmenting casings of exploding munitions, relative to the blast impulse from the same explosive charge uncased. Even for free-field conditions, researchers currently depend for such estimates on formulae which either are not soundly derived (e.g. that of Fisher), or are simply fits to available experimental data. This paper will show that a sound analytical formula can be derived, using as a basis the physical assumptions of R.W. Gurney, which are already the basis for other well-known and useful approximations in this field. Furthermore, this new formula can be extended in application to the common situation where the casing fragments before it reaches a high radius of expansion, thus allowing more blast impulse to escape. Drawing on recent work by A.B. Crowley, this can be achieved by including a dependency on the ratio of casing yield stress and explosive product gases internal pressure. An extended set of formulae incorporating this sensitivity to explosive and casing properties are shown to be consistent, at least qualitatively, with recent experimental data from researchers at BAE Systems.

Harmonic control of a ‘smart spring’ machinery vibration isolation system

A major problem for isolating vibration from large marine machinery rafts is how best to deal with excited resonances. These generate large forces on the hull that create a significant vibration problem. The passive design of such mounts typically represents a compromise between providing good vibration isolation and good machinery alignment under seaway motion. The ‘Smart Spring’ isolation system, a new hybrid passive—active approach to solving this problem that is being developed by BAE Systems, has been described in a series of earlier papers. The fundamental concept utilizes digitally controlled actuators to apply forces that are independent of local displacement while controlling the response of the structure's rigid body modes. The current paper describes recent work to extend the functionality of the isolation system to deal specifically with discrete-frequency vibration sources. Two novel harmonic control strategies are introduced and evaluated using a six-degrees-of-freedom experimental active mount. It is shown that a strategy that employs recursive least-squares estimation provides both exceptionally high isolation performance and rapid convergence.