Design and Development of Aircraft Systems, 3rd Edition

3The Design and Development Process

3.1 Introduction

Chapter 2 introduced an understanding of the numerous and disparate aircraft systems that need to be designed and developed into an integrated system solution to ensure that the aircraft is equipped to perform its stated tasks. To develop such a system from a customer's requirement through to implementation requires a discipline that will enable people to apply their skills and experience in a rigorous and consistent manner. It is important to recognise that the product moves through a number of stages in a lifecycle that cover initial concept, design and development, and in‐service operation by a customer until the product is no longer required. In the case of an aircraft this entire lifecycle is generally about 25 years; with mid‐life updates and refurbishment the life may exceed 50 years, as is the case with some aircraft in service today. Even the initial development phases before product design is sufficiently mature to commit to production are now longer than some technology life spans – in other words ‘new’ technology may be obsolete before it can even be used, yet alone stay in service for 25 years.

Inevitably in such a prolonged lifecycle there will be issues of currency of technology, obsolescence, changing requirements, application of different skills and processes, and changing legislation. There is a need for a disciplined approach to design and development in order to manage all these aspects. This chapter ...