Case studies: Interim report 2007
The Eurofighter Typhoon will fulfil Air Force requirements well into the 21st Century
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The Eurofighter Typhoon is unique in modern combat aircraft in that there are four separate assembly lines. Each partner company assembles its own national aircraft, but builds the same parts of all 620 aircraft. The tasks of developing and producing the most advanced swing-role fighter relies on building strong partnerships in government, industry and air forces worldwide. The collective military requirements of the four Partner Nations (UK, Germany, Italy and Spain) are the foundation of the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System. |
BAE Systems is part of a consortium of leading European aerospace manufacturers and it is responsible for the assembly of the 232 aircrafts required by the Royal Air Force.
The project started formally in 1988 and the aircraft production is ongoing. A phase of through-life support will follow in the UK and the product is expected to be in-service until 2030. The investment from each country is of several billions of pounds.
Amongst the benefits listed in the "Study into the Industrial and Economic Benefits of Eurofighter Typhoon" compiled by Prof. Keith Hartley from the Centre for Defence Electronics are:
- An impressive set of examples of the technology benefits from Typhoon were identified. These include carbon fibre technology; super plastic forming and fusion bonding; modular avionics; the flight control system; and aero-engine technology. Technology spin-offs were also identified from the Typhoon Programme to civil aircraft, to motor car industries (including Formula 1 racing cars in Italy and the UK) and to supply chains. These technology externalities were valued at Euros 7.2 billion (minimum).
- Typhoon is not only contributing to technology benefits and spin-offs: it is also contributing to the creation of a range of modern business practices.
The 2007 Study Group with Industry was able to offer unique thought to this cosmopolitan and multi-billion pound project.
BAE Systems came to this year’s Study Group presenting a problem on how to best measure the maturity of a complex system of systems. BAE Systems have a product maturity scheme which is mandated across all products and are seeking to improve their method specifically in relation to prediction of achievement of maturity targets.
The Study Group’s advantage consisted in giving the opportunity to BAE Systems to investigate alternative ways to run the process of managing the product maturity in a more intensive and at the same time relaxed environment. The Study Group results could be eventually applied across all of BAE Systems.
"As for this week, it has been extremely rewarding. Personally I have really enjoyed being here and being immersed in such thought again; and professionally I think that the guys working on my problem have made some really good points taking in several areas across the spectrum of mathematics." - Richard Hadji, Senior Engineer, BAE Systems.
Uncertainty of flow in porous media
Schlumberger came to the 2004 Study Group with Industry with a need of investigating the uncertainty characteristics of flows in porous media, for example oil or water in porous rock. The problem posed was, in essence, how do we estimate the probability distribution of f(x) from the probability distribution of x? Here x is a large vector and f is a complicated function which can be expensive to evaluate. For Schlumberger's applications f is a computer simulator of a hydrocarbon reservoir, and x is a description of the geology of the reservoir, which is uncertain.
At the Study Group a new academic collaboration was established and the problem received different inputs. Since then Daniel Busby - the PhD student presenting the problem at the 2004 Study Group - completed his PhD and was hired by the Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP). The work initiated at the Study Group and developed during these two years resulted in a few publications and most importantly, in an algorithm.
The resulting algorithm will be implemented in the software application, Petrel Reservoir Engineering - to be released in the 2008 version. The software will implement the major features of the algorithm and the Study Group played an instrumental role in the very successful outcome of this project.
The implementation of the algorithm has a great value and Schlumberger anticipates an increase in software sales and in selling measurement services - it will add value for their clients.
"The Study Group was excellent on all counts. In particular, the problem was discussed in depth and we were very pleased with the progress made" - Chris Farmer, Scientific Advisor, Schlumberger.