Case study
Delivering Capability at Speed
SEA 1442 Phase 5 had to deliver complex maritime communications capability while balancing “Speed to Capability” and a Minimum Viable Capability against the assurance, governance and contractual requirements of an ASDEFCON acquisition.
Compressed schedules, constrained resources and limited expenditure flexibility applied while preliminary design, detailed design, platform integration and early verification and validation progressed concurrently.
The critical challenge was protecting engineering assurance, particularly system and software safety, as the project moved rapidly through design reviews and payment milestones that drove cost phasing and funding availability.
Enabled an Australian-first shock trial at DSTG’s Nagambie facility.
Developed the Software Safety Assurance Case to MIL-STD-882E, analysing software, hardware and safety-related function interactions.
Applied risk based, outcomes focused assurance engineering maturity, non-conformances and residual risk assessed against the capability outcome.
Articulated complex engineering issues to project, engineering and executive stakeholders to enable fast, accountable decisions.
Major design and payment milestones progressed within known and articulated risk tolerances.
Engineering, safety and environmental assurance maintained throughout.
Effort focused on the issues materially affecting capability and safety, avoiding costly gold plating.
Defence engineering capability strengthened through mentoring of APS engineers, consultants and industry partners.
