Following a competitive tender process, engineering consultancy
Frazer-Nash has been awarded a further major contract to support
the MOD Puma Life Extension Programme (LEP), a role the company has
held for the past four years.
The LEP will extend the Puma helicopter fleet service life from
2012 until 2025 to deliver an effective support helicopter
capability. The LEP will also improve the safety of the
platform by providing new engines and a digital flight control
system as well as increased platform survivability and enhanced
communications.
Frazer-Nash is working with the MOD and the prime contractor,
Eurocopter, to develop the Hazard Log, Loss Model and Safety Case
for the Puma HC Mk2 to demonstrate the aircraft will be compliant
with the MOD and Military Aviation Authority safety and
airworthiness requirements. Assuring the aircraft's safety
will be one of the main factors in the HC Mk2 programme's
success.
One of the challenges with a modified aircraft is to provide a
safety case to modern standards for the whole helicopter, including
the use of supporting evidence for the legacy part of the
system. Another important aspect of the task is the
integration of equipment certified for civil use within a military
operational environment.
Frazer-Nash will analyse the sequence of events between a
technical failure which gives rise to a hazard, and a resulting
accident. In support of this analysis, Frazer-Nash will
facilitate the aircrew and engineering judgement panels during
which crews will describe and make assessments of their ability to
cope with hazardous situations.
Crucial to the success of the process, Frazer-Nash is closely
engaged with the MOD project team, Eurocopter, the Independent
Technical Evaluator (ITE), the Independent Safety Auditor (ISA) and
the in-service authority, and getting valuable operator inputs to
the assessments and reviews.
Commenting on Frazer-Nash's appointment, Martin Soltau at the
consultancy said: "We are delighted to be working with the MOD on
this exciting and prestigious programme that quite clearly provides
a significant contribution to the RAF's support helicopter
capability. We will be drawing upon our vast experience and
expertise in the development of aircraft safety cases to continue
our central role in the HC Mk2 programme."
The Puma 2 Gazelle Project Team at Abbey Wood, Bristol is
leading the project within the Ministry of Defence's Defence,
Equipment and Support organisation.