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Merlin Mk1 Helicopter – mission data preparation
The challenge
The Royal Navy's fleet of Merlin HM Mk1 maritime helicopters is a key component of the UK's anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability. The aircraft also have a number of secondary roles including surveillance, search and rescue, casualty evacuation and logistic support.
A significant factor in the operating efficiency of the Merlin is the time required by aircrew in order to prepare data for the on-board computer systems, prior to each mission. This was identified as a major bottleneck, with existing methods for capturing and loading data being cumbersome and prone to errors. In March 2004 the MoD invited companies to tender for a contract to produce a new mission data preparation system, to form part of a suite of software to be named the Merlin Preparation System.
The solution
IPL's tender was selected by the MoD based on price, the proposed solution's design and IPL's proven ability to deliver.
The system was developed with the aim of reducing mission planning time as the primary goal. An intuitive user interface allows for fast entry of mission data, via screens designed to look and feel similar to those of on-board systems, and with which aircrew are familiar. Extensive validation of all entered data and intelligent error reporting means less time need now be spent diagnosing data problems. The software interface also incorporates MaplinkPro® to enable graphical mission maps to be quickly viewed and generated.
The system was specifically designed to require little maintenance, and be robust and transportable; enabling the Royal Navy to deploy it quickly on ship or shore, operating either in a stand-alone or networked environment. A simple data storage and retrieval mechanism is employed, allowing common mission data to be easily distributed between installations. Other features include the ability to use entered data to automatically produce mission briefing presentations and to download data from the aircraft in order to replay missions.
In addition to developing to the defence standard quality criteria specified by the MoD, IPL provided a comprehensive safety case in order to meet the demands of the Safety Integrity Level 2 (SIL2) requirements. Safety-related elements of the system were tested using IPL's own market-leading Cantata++ software testing toolset.
The highlights
IPL delivered the system within the required timeframe and to the agreed price.
The project has been a major success story. Feedback from training courses for Merlin aircrew confirmed they were exceptionally impressed by the system's capabilities. Gaining the confidence of the aircrew and demonstrating the new system's benefits to them have been vital factors in measuring the project's success.
A further significant factor in this success was the close working relationship between IPL and the Royal Navy. From the bid stage right through to final delivery of the solution, a comprehensive system prototype was developed and maintained, providing a clear and unambiguous representation of what would ultimately be delivered.