Platform management - the whole systems approach

摘要

Platform Management Systems (PMS) have begun to replace traditional controls systems into today's modern warships. Levels of automation have increased but the most significant change has been the adoption of Human Computer Interfaces (HCI) within workstations replacing much of the hardware associated with consoles and panels. This trend pervades from the bridge and machinery or ship control rooms to local, remote and Zone Control Positions (ZCP). One might expect a significant increase in system functionality and platform capability but, in the current acquisition climate, this has not been achieved. This paper promotes the adoption of systems engineering practices, prevalent within industry and advocated in smart acquisition to the wider combat & marine engineering community. All aspects of platform and system design must be considered to enable the assessment and achievement of the desired capability at all stages of the Concept-Assessment-Demonstration-Manufacture-In-service and Disposal (CADMID) lifecycle. The paper is based upon work funded under the Marine Engineering Development Programme (MEDP) for MOD UK, entitled PMS Studies. This is a Future PMS risk mitigation programme which supports the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) current and future warship builds.