“Such an overhaul involves the replacement and refurbishment of so many components that it has in fact become a new system that must be re-inspected at the end of the process. We confirm that everything meets the customer’s requirements with a so-called Factory Acceptance Test. Normally we perform these tests in front of the customer, but the COVID-19 restrictions made that practically impossible. We have therefore agreed with the customer to perform the FAT using our new Video Capture process,” Test and Support manager Bernard Haanappel said.
David Reid, the team’s video expert, explains: “It’s quite complex, but the bottom line is that we share all documents and tests with the client through video and a secure data connection. We have developed the Video Capture process in our XR Innovations Lab over the past year into a simple and efficient tool.“
Basically we create small video clips for each step in the FAT which we then link to the corresponding text on a mini website. This makes navigation easy for the customer, and it’s much better than watching a full 4 hour video.
David Reid
“We do see a growing trend in which product teams and projects require video content creation more often. Because it’s effective, captures knowledge in a way that other content creation can’t, and it’s efficient. There is a lot of interest from other product teams who want to film their product and provide additional services such as Video Assisted Documentation (VAD). More teams have already asked for time and resources for the coming months. This is good news for Thales and will significantly improve our knowledge retention.
“Thanks to the team, the reconditioned S1850M passed all tests. There are of course some minor issues to be addressed, but we are happy with the test result. This was the first of the S1850Ms onboard the Type 45 ships and I hope the others will be just as successful,” Haanappel added.
About S1850M radar
S1850M is a long range radar for wide area search. With fully automatic detection and track initiation, it can track up to 1,000 air targets at a range of around 400 kilometres. The S1850M provides 3-dimensional track/plot data of the tactical threat and own forces within the operational environment.
S1850M is the long range radar (LRR) of the Principal Anti Air Missile System used on the Royal Navy’s Type 45 Destroyers and French/Italian Horizon Frigates. It has also been selected for the UK’s Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.
