Published on 7 October 2024

Systems Engineering

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to the development and further development of complex technical systems, comprising the analysis, planning, design, implementation and maintenance of systems over their entire life cycle.

View of a cockpit in a Cougar transport helicopter — © DDPS

The aim of systems engineering is to ensure that the requirements of every stakeholder are fulfilled by taking into consideration the interactions between the system components as well as between the system and its environment. This includes the optimisation of performance, reliability, security, maintainability and costs. Systems engineers use a range of tools and technologies to model, analyse and simulate complex systems with the aim of making informed decisions throughout the entire development process. Systems engineering is used within the Systems Engineering specialist unit in areas such as aviation, ground-based air defence, information technology and telecommunications for the Swiss Armed Forces.

Our competences and activities

Within the framework of the implementation regulations for the change management (AeD) of military aviation systems, the systems engineer makes sure that changes developed for the fleet are operationally effective, suitable and affordable, and represent a timely solution for meeting the needs of users with an acceptable level of risk. This includes activities such as:

Being responsible for technical system integrity
Being responsible for technical change management activities
Being responsible for technical requirements and specifications
Ensuring that the aviation system meets the contractual, quality and airworthiness requirements
Commissioning industry and foreign government agencies with performing change-related construction, production and maintenance activities
Conducting development and assessment tests

In its role as technology manager within procurement projects, armasuisse Systems Engineering defines the systems engineering requirements and reviews their implementation. In so doing, precise definitions will be provided as regards the technical characteristics and functions that a system being procured must fulfil. This involves understanding the needs and requirements of users and stakeholders in their entirety and translating these into clear and actionable technical requirements. Within this process, the potential technical risks and limitations will also be assessed and integrated into the definition of the requirements. Over the course of the entire procurement process, armasuisse Systems Engineering will monitor implementation and conduct regular tests to ensure that the procured product or system meets the requirements agreed upon.

System technology areas

An overview graphic of the various areas of system technology. This shows the following areas: Aviation Systems Modification Service, Systems Engineering, Testing, Airworthiness, Risk Management, Industry Cooperation — System technology areas — © DDPS

System support during the use phase
All aircraft that are used by the Swiss Air Force are provided with support services by armasuisse for the entirety of the use phase. Systems Engineering is thus directly responsible for the technical airworthiness of each aircraft.
In this context, airworthiness means the ability of a military aviation system to carry out its intended purpose under the approved conditions and limitations and without unacceptable risks. The assessment of whether an aircraft is airworthy includes reviewing its flight safety, function and performance. All of the changes developed for the fleet must therefore be operationally effective and suitable, and must also be implemented promptly. System support is thus provided to fulfil the needs of users with an acceptable level of risk.
PC-7 value preservation
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer has been used by the Swiss Air Force as a training aircraft for pilots since 1982 and is still one of the most efficient types in its category. It is particularly well suited for instrument flying in poor visibility conditions, night flights and for flying in formation. Over the course of time, modifications have been made and value preservation measures taken in order to ensure that the aircraft are always equipped with state-of-the-art avionics systems.
The value preservation measures that now need to be carried out include the modernisation of the central navigation system for instrument flying as well as the retrofitting of the radio equipment in line with the regulations introduced throughout Europe. Furthermore, the two flight simulators must be updated to the same technological standard as the genuine systems, i.e. to the same standard as real aircraft. Modern, commercially available aviation components are integrated as measures to preserve value. The responsibility for carrying out this work lies with Pilatus Flugzeugwerke AG in Stans, which was contracted by the RUAG MRO Holding AG technology group. The work needed to preserve the value of the fleet and the simulators is carried out at RUAG’s locations in Lodrino (canton of Ticino) and Emmen (canton of Lucerne). Following the completion of the work, the PC-7 should be able to be used for a further 15 years.
Mixed reality – feasibility study for the PC-7 ground-based training system
The simulation industry has been benefiting greatly from the computer games industry for a number of years. As a result, there have also been great strides made in the further development of professional applications and the innovative technologies used for these. For example, visual systems have been upgraded to also include virtual or mixed-reality technology or have been completely replaced by this technology.
There are currently no comparable systems in use within the Swiss Air Force, which means that experience has to be gained with this technology. It is well known that various foreign air forces have been successfully running pilot projects in this environment. The main aim is to ensure that pilots in training receive a higher level of training in a shorter period of time and in a customisable manner. In order to achieve this aim, the training must also be made more innovative. The established training resources should be neither replaced nor competed against, but rather supplemented with other resources in an expedient fashion.
The basic training programme for pilots in which simulators (PC-7) are currently used provides an ideal evaluation environment for new technologies. The existing visual systems in the PC-7 simulators will not be replaced, but will be upgraded on a modular basis with a mixed-reality system and the requisite hardware and software. This means that the more favourable visual system can be chosen according to the user’s needs. As a result, the existing visual system will be used in the established training programme (IFR, procedures training, etc.) and the mixed-reality technology can be used in future training modules that focus on visual flight, thus ensuring that the strengths of each of the visual systems can be utilised optimally.
The Cougar transport helicopter was procured in the 1998 armament programme and has since been used for transporting materials and troops on a daily basis. It is also used to support civilian authorities, such as for transporting water to fight fires, for search and rescue operations, and in military peacebuilding deployments (e.g. in Kosovo).
Technology used to preserve value
The technology used to preserve value included a new self-protection system with expanded capabilities, new aircraft radio equipment and the latest-generation military friend-or-foe-identification system, as well as the addition of satellite-based approach procedure capabilities. The nine helicopters were equipped with a new collision warning device, a helmet visor and various other functions, which brought it generally in line with the Super Puma. In parallel to this, the helicopters were completely overhauled. All of these improvements expanded the Cougar’s range of applications in bad weather conditions and when being flown in environments in which threats have to be expected.
The key success factor behind the successful preservation of value from a technological perspective was that the technical experts from all of the parties involved (armasuisse, Swiss Air Force, RUAG, various sub-suppliers, the US authorities) worked together in a constructive, solution-based and client-oriented manner. The motivated Technology team ensured that this work was carried out to a high level of quality.
The F/A-18C/D Hornet combat aircraft were procured in the 1992 armament programme and were rolled out in the Swiss Air Force in the second half of 1990s.
Ensuring the system integrity of the Swiss F/A-18 combat aircraft
The F/A-18C/D Hornet combat aircraft were procured in the 1992 armament programme and were rolled out in the Swiss Air Force in the second half of 1990s. Thanks to several upgrade programmes, the performance levels of the main resource of the Swiss Air Force have remained state-of-the-art over the past twenty years. The last of such programmes is the NUV programme, the aim of which is to extend the useful life of the aircraft and to certify the F/A-18 to 6000 flight hours per aircraft so that the fleet can continue flying until the new combat aircraft are rolled out in full.
The programme includes a structural reorganisation programme for maintaining airworthiness in which various identified vulnerabilities are rectified and comprehensive inspections are carried out. The measures taken relate to the aircraft structure, the subsystems and components for which operation and maintenance are becoming increasingly problematic, the modernisation of the subsystems for deployment and training, and the modernisation of the radar-guided weapons and avionics.
The Systems Engineering specialist unit works together with internal and external partners to ensure technical system integrity within the use phase of the Swiss combat aircraft and is also the Military Type Certificate holder. Its main activities include performing airworthiness risk management, the approval of minor changes and repairs, and the technical management of the upgrade programmes.
Jet engines
Engines are key components of combat aircraft. A proper understanding of their operation, maintenance and logistics is required to safeguard the use phase of the system. This has resulted in establishing a close working relationship with RUAG Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO).
The tests employed in the regular maintenance of the engines comprise the following:
- A performance test to ensure that the engine is able to generate the necessary thrust
- Vibration and balancing test to check and, where necessary, balance the engine rotors
- Checks of the oil and fuel system
- Leak tests to ensure that none of the systems are leaking
At international conferences, Systems Engineering acts as the Swiss representative and takes care of the coordination between manufacturers, selected suppliers, users and the US Navy. At a national level, it coordinates with the Armed Forces Staff (AFS), the Air Force, the airworthiness authority, RUAG MRO and a number of suppliers as regards the use phase. S+T Systems Engineering is also responsible for the direct coordination between the users.
The force that dominates the skies determines what is able to move on the ground. This means that the Swiss Air Force also needs ground-based air defences in addition to combat aircraft.
Long-, medium- and short-range ground-based air defence systems protect the population, critical civilian and military infrastructure, and troop formations against threats from the air. The Systems Engineering specialist unit is an essential part of the project team and is responsible for the following core tasks beyond the project phase:
- Supporting the client and the customer in defining business and stakeholder requirements
- Identifying the technical requirements for creating the technical functional specification document
- Describing the peripheral systems at a component level and drawing up the system architectures for integration in the Swiss system landscape
- Performing systems engineering tasks, such as requirement, change and technical risk management, creating engineering planning criteria, conducting reviews and being responsible for verification and validation.
Minidrone technology has come on leaps and bounds in both the civilian and military sectors in recent years, with new capabilities that meet a wide range of requirements having been developed. Based on the findings from an initial procurement project, four different drone systems were procured for the Swiss Armed Forces. armasuisse carried out the project, with Systems Engineering defining the requirements and assessing the performances of the systems in managing technical risks and changes.
The Swiss Armed Forces’ fleet of mini drones is made up of different models that offer a wide range of applications. The Black Hornet (BH) 3 produced by Teledyne FLIR is the smallest system, weighing a mere 33 g, thus allowing it to be used in confined spaces and indoor areas without having to rely on a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The Orbiter 2b from Aeronautics is the largest system, weighing 10 kg and with a wingspan of 3 m, and is suitable for tactical deployment at a portable level. Due to its weight category, it requires dedicated approval from the Military Aviation Authority (MAA). Other models such as the Indago 3 from Lockheed Martin, which is equipped with a FLARM transponder for air traffic information, were supervised by armasuisse in order to define and review the technical requirements. The ANAFI from Parrot rounds off the portfolio as a starter drone with which prospective drone pilots in the Swiss Armed Forces can practice.
In the near future, the successor models to the systems rolled out will be purchased for the Swiss Armed Forces in order to cover the growing demand and keep pace with technological developments. The technical differences will be reviewed by the Systems Technology specialist unit.
The progress at which this technology is being developed is advancing at a steady pace, with an ever-increasing number of potential uses being found. The demand for different types of drones is likewise increasing. In addition to the minidrones already procured, additional projects and interface integrations are required to meet the constantly changing requirements. A good example of this is the integration of drones in the new Pionierpanzer (“military engineering vehicle”) with the aim of expanding the monitoring and surveillance capabilities and of improving situation reports in real time. The combination of ground troops with air reconnaissance provided by drones increases the effectiveness of military operations and the safety of the troops.
As part of the ADS 15 procurement project, the Systems Engineering specialist unit performed a variety of systems engineering tasks, including the management of requirements, changes and technical risks. Systems Engineering draws up the planning criteria for the implementation of systems and conducts reviews to check how development is progressing and to ensure that all requirements will be met. The specialist unit is also responsible for verifying and validating that the system meets the defined specifications and fulfils the users’ requirements.
The ADS 15 is an unmanned and unarmed reconnaissance system. It is replacing reconnaissance drone system 95, which was used by the Swiss Armed Forces until the end of 2019 and was based on technology from the 1980s. The intended operating life of the ADS 15 is 20 years. The drone is used for target acquisition and reconnaissance missions, but can also be equipped with other sensors if necessary, for example an imaging radar to generate a picture of the situation on the ground or for electronic reconnaissance. The system can be deployed during the daytime or at night. To ensure airspace integration, the ADS 15 has autonomous conflict detection and resolution capabilities (cooperative and non-cooperative detect and avoid).
It can also be flown for long periods of time. The ADS 15 can perform the following:
- Monitoring of large areas
- Target searching, reconnaissance and tracking
- Contributing to the operational picture and the protection of critical infrastructures and its own troops
The system is currently used by civilian and military management bodies. Examples of civilian authorities include Cantonal Management Bodies, police and rescue organisations as well as the Swiss Border Guard. When defending against a military attack, the ADS 15 helps manage and control ground activities, in particular for fire support.
In order to ensure safe air traffic operations, aviation authorities require risk analyses before they can approve new systems and procedures. Quantitative analyses and simulations are increasingly being used for this purpose at an operational level, especially with respect to unmanned aircraft.
Systems Engineering supports the Swiss Military Aviation Authority (MAA), the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) and the international committees of NATO and Eurocontrol by providing them with data analyses, mathematical models and simulations, as well as their specialist knowledge, all of which are put to use in assessing planned procedures and technical solutions as well as in drawing up regulations. There is currently a special focus on integrating the ADS 15 reconnaissance drone system into Swiss airspace.