New Orion Support
By WGCDR Brendon Pett
The BAT team.
On 1 July, a full-time team of five personnel from Beca Applied Technology (BAT) joined the Integrated Mission Support Squadron (IMSS) to commence work on delivering a wide range of software engineering services to support the P-3K2 Orion. Based within the IMSS's Software and Simulation Support Flight (SSSF), this move is a significant step in preparing for delivery of the new aircraft, as well as the evolving relationship between the RNZAF, IMSS, and BAT.
While the aircraft aren't here yet, there is still a lot of preparation work that needs to be done to get IMSS up to speed. This includes the standing up of a software engineering environment necessary to develop and test the processes, and procedures required to support the new Data Management System (DMS) on the P-3K2.
BAT and IMSS SSSF team have been working together for many months now, but the move to full-time BAT staff marks a step up in tempo and preparation activity. Three weeks in to the contract, the team has been extremely busy with an interim computer network already up and running loaded with the P-3K2 Data Management System (DMS) software, which is the 'heart' of the P-3K2's Mission System. We can already see some of the enhanced capabilities the new DMS will bring, compared to the old P-3K, and are only just beginning to grasp the complexity of the new system that will be delivered within the next 12 months.
The IMSS stand alone computer network.
Unlike the old P-3K Orion, the new P-3K2 is a highly complex computer network which BAT will support from within the IMSS. The BAT team have a wealth of knowledge, having all been previously based in Texas working with L3 on the P-3K2.
Initially the team were working part-time with IMSS, but have now transitioned into the IMSS full-time, hanging up their Texas cowboy boots, draw string ties, plaid shirts and line dancing days, for the high technological environment of IMSS. Having BAT on site is helping to significantly grow our understanding of the P-3K2, develop our processes and procedures and, more importantly, firmly cement the excellent working relationship we have developed as a joint team focused on supporting RNZAF capability.
The start of full-time activities at IMSS represents a significant step forward in preparing for the delivery of the P-3K2. The work effort is now focused on finishing the software development laboratory and then testing the first software modification process. In parallel, work continues on getting our engineering processes and procedures right, to deal with the enormous complexity of the P-3K2. Having BAT aboard, as an integral part of the IMSS team, means we will be well placed to step up and support one of the most sophisticated and capable platforms ever to enter service with the RNZAF.