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December 05 2024

Mission Systems Design for Military application

Military Mission Systems Design
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.  

Military Modifications

A large percentage of our Mission Systems projects are focused on developing modification for both military and civilian registered aircraft. We are one of the few UK companies that can work under both military and civilian approvals to be able to design, produce, flight test and install a variety of pods, cameras, mission system architecture, avionics, rear operator consoles, etc. Naturally the team work under the appropriate level of security clearance required. Typical military aviation modifications the team undertake are:

  • Augmented Reality Mapping Systems (ARS)
  • Customer Specific Systems
  • Digital Audio Communication System (DACS)
  • Downlink & Uplink Systems
  • Electro-Optical & Infrared Sensors (EO/IR)
  • External Pods
  • LOPA Changes
  • Infrared Counter Measures (IRCM)
  • Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
  • Mission Displays & Monitors
  • Mission Seating
  • NVIS Lighting
  • Operator Consoles
  • Operator Workstations
  • Retractable Camera Installations
  • Satellite Communication Systems (SATCOM)
  • Specialist Antennas
  • Surveillance Role Fits
  • Tactical Radios (TETRA)
  • Threat Simulation
  • Video / Mission Recorders
  • Video Management Systems (VMS)

Extending the life of a valuable Red Team asset

Significant avionic upgrades to a Mk58 Hawker Hunter

This DAOS approved Major Change upgrades a Mk58 Hawker Hunter with the latest generation avionic systems and equipment to help improve situational awareness and operability. One of the largest challenges for the team during the design phase was meeting the customers demand to package the new Garmin GTN 750Xi unit in place of the optimally placed but now redundant gunsight. We utilised our in-house 3D Printing capability to produce a mock-up unit which ensured a perfect fit, first time. This position provides the best possible field of view and ergonomic interface for the touchscreen system.

  • 2 x Garmin GI 275 Multi-Function Instruments configured as an Attitude Indicator and a Horizontal Situation Indicator
  • Garmin GTN 750Xi that includes VHF COM/VHF NAV/GPS
  • Garmin GTX 335DR Transponder System
  • Garmin GMA 35 Audio System
  • Bendix/King KN 63 DME System
  • LED strobe light system
  • Jupiter Avionics Headset Adapter

Installed Garmin equipment
Military Mission Systems Design 2
Existing cockpit

Our process

Too often we hear from those who have commissioned aviation mission system design projects only to find that a simple Minor Change has turned into a monster project.

We are firmly of the belief that engaging in open and honest discussions with all stakeholders helps us to set clear expectations and provide expert guidance from the start, avoiding the problem of scope creep. To assure a timely, planned and controlled process we aim to assist our customers in making the correct design decisions using our established methodology, whilst ensuring compliance with all regulatory (including Military Airworthiness Approvals and BCAR), statutory and legal requirements. Our design process is defined by gateways as illustrated below.


Military Mission Systems Design

  • Project Management support
    Regardless of the size and complexity of the project, our Project Management Office (PMO) will be on hand to manage the entire process from your initial briefing through certification to embodiment. The team has a wealth of experience in designing Minor & Major Changes for Military and National Security clients and their bespoke mission system requirements.
  • Minor or Major change
    All modifications are classified as either Minor or Major Changes, both of which have different development paths, risks and associated timelines. One of our first steps is to check to see if one of our many existing ‘off-the-shelf’ designs are suitable, saving the client both time and money. If this is not the case, we then proceed to classify the Change as Minor or Major.
  • Inputs
    Working within the Military Authority’s specification, the Project Team and our Design Team collaborate with OEM’s to identify suitable equipment for the project. The design team then consider the ergonomic, anthropometric, and operational suitability aspects and present them to the customer at key milestones such as Preliminary Design Review (PDR) & Critical Design Review (CDR).
  • Outputs
    Building from the Authority’s requirements, CONOPS and our initial design concepts, we employ a wide variety of techniques to produce prototypes & illustrations for customer validation. These include 3D renders, full-scale ‘mock-ups’ and ‘in-house’ 3D printing to name a few. These will be presented to the key stakeholders at the earliest opportunity to gather feedback and approval prior to manufacture. The creation of prototypes also allows the Project Team and operators to provide valuable input and visualise how the design change will affect their working environment.
  • Internal reviews
    We continuously review the design process and evaluate all decisions being made to highlight any challenges that may present themselves during the compliance and verification stage. This includes weight and balance, electrical load, interior layout and operational performance.

We see our job as a partner to a military Authority and its Project Team, to help navigate the design process to ensure that the mission requirement is delivered efficiently and effectively.

Air Ambulance mission system design
 

Interior Design

From complete interior refurbishments to a simple LED lighting upgrade we have it covered. We have a wealth of experience in Cabin Interior modifications with many “off the shelf” design solutions ready to be installed.
We also design and manufacture bespoke bulkheads, monuments and stowages to meet our clients’ needs to store medical equipment.

Air Ambulance Mission Systems 5

Typical Military Modification Interior projects undertaken by our Design & Production Team include:


  • Cabin Lighting
  • Cabin Wi-Fi
  • Medical flooring
  • Emergency Lighting
  • Equipment Racks
  • LED Lighting Upgrades
  • LOPA Changes
  • Monitors
  • Non-Textile Flooring (NTF)

  • Overhead Lockers
  • Placards
  • Power Inverters
  • Restraints
  • Seat Retrimming
  • Stowages
  • Tables
  • Thermal Trim and Insulation
  • USB Charging Points


Air Ambulance mission system design
 

Mechanical Design

Using the latest 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, our team are ready to support you in all of your mechanical design needs.The team are experienced in all aspects from technical survey, initial hand calculations, through detail design development to creation of production drawings and computer aided manufacturing data.

Mechanical design

Examples of projects and additional services covered by our Mechanical Team include:


  • 3D Scanning
  • Adapter Plates
  • Antenna Installations
  • Anti-Vibration Mounts
  • Blanking Plates
  • Bulkhead Penetrations
  • Chart Holders
  • Circuit Breaker Panels
  • Detail, Assembly & Installation Drawings
  • Doublers (Internal & External)
  • Empennage Changes & Repairs
  • Equipment Mounts
  • Equipment Racks & Trays

  • Fairings
  • Flooring
  • Fuselage Changes & Repairs
  • Ground Support Equipment
  • Hard Points
  • Instrument Panels
  • Air Ambulance Consoles
  • Mock-Ups
  • Monuments & Stowages
  • Rapid Prototyping (3D Printing)
  • Structural Repairs
  • Tie Rods
  • Wing Changes & Repairs


Air Ambulance Mission Systems 2
 

Electrical Design

Using the latest Electrical Computer Aided Design (ECAD) software, our team are ready to support you in all of your electrical design needs. Modifications and repairs with electrical aspects will involve numerous assessments, such as power distribution, electrical load analysis and electromagnetic compatibility.

Typical projects undertaken by our Electrical Team include:


  • Annunciator Panels
  • Annunciators
  • ARINC Signal Converters
  • Avionic Backup Batteries
  • Battery Upgrades
  • Circuit Breakers
  • Communication Ports (RJ45, RS-232)
  • Electric Start Systems
  • Generators
  • Ground Use Batteries
  • Instrument Panel Lighting
  • Instrument Panel Plugs

  • Inverters
  • LED Lighting (Internal & External)
  • NVIS Lighting
  • Passenger Service Units
  • Power Outlets
  • Redundant Wiring Removal
  • Switch Guards
  • Switches
  • USB Charging Sockets
  • Warning Lights
  • Wiring Diagrams
  • Wiring Repairs


Air Ambulance Mission Systems assembly harness
 

Manufacturing & Assembly

Our assembly shop floor has been laid out to ensure that the creation and production of parts follows a lean process. We have the capability to assemble components of any weight and size both mechanical and electrical. All assembled parts are fully inspected and released with either a Form 1 or Certificate of Conformity.

Special mission design

Typical assembly work undertaken by us includes:


  • CAA approved welding
  • Capability to assemble components of any size.
  • Certificate of Conformity
  • Composite Assemblies
  • Crimping
  • Electrical Assemblies
  • Form 1 Release
  • Fully configurable assembly area

  • Kits of Parts with Release Certification
  • Mechanical Assemblies
  • Mission System Consoles
  • Painting
  • Surface treatments
  • Threaded inserts
  • Wet bonded assemblies
  • Wiring Looms & Harnesses


Air Ambulance Mission Systems

 

Mission Systems Design Certification

As an approved design and production organisation certification is at the heart of everything we do here at Gama. We are experienced in producing both Major & Minor Changes and Repairs that are either approved or accepted by the various National Aviation Authorities (NAA’s) across the world.

With over 1700 Minor Changes & Repairs and 70+ STC’s within our portfolio we often have an off-the-shelf design solution to fit your particular needs.

However, we also realise that not every aircraft is the same and every project is different, if we don’t have a pre-existing design we have the capability and approvals to produce a new Change or Repair to support your particular aircraft and operation.

Our core certification activity includes:

  • Minor Changes created in-house
  • Minor Repairs created in-house
  • Major Changes & STC’s
  • Validations of Minor Changes, Repairs & STC’s
  • Experienced in working with the vast majority of the world’s NAA’s
  • Experienced in both Civil & Military certification

We work closely with the following Authorities:

Air Ambulance Mission Systems Design

Contact us

Military Mission Systems Design Contact Details

phoneMission System Design +44 1202 013778
Contact the Mission Systems team

Supported aircraft

Beechcraft King Air 300 series

We offer availability and expertise across the BAE Hawker series of aircraft, including charter services, maintenance approval and capabilities and we have extensive management experience, having owned and operated BAE Hawker aircraft ourselves and for our clients.

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Beechcraft King Air 200 series

We offer operational & maintenance expertise across the Beechcraft King Air 200 series of aircraft.

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Britten Norman BN2-T Islander

The Britten Norman Islander BN-2T is used within both a civilian and Special Mission context being able to accommodate various interior fitments from executive to up to three stretchers for Air Ambulance operations.

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Leonardo AW169.

The AW 169 is one of the most versatile multi role, emergency rotorcraft airframes in theatre

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Airbus H145

The Airbus H145 helicopter is our aircraft of choice for HEMS operations. Find out more here.

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Bombardier Challenger series

We offer availability and expertise across the Bombardier Challenger series of aircraft, including charter services, maintenance approval and capabilities and we have extensive management experience, having owned and operated Bombardier Challenger aircraft ourselves and for our clients.

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Bombardier Global series

We offer availability and expertise across the Bombardier Global series of aircraft, including charter services, maintenance approval and capabilities and we have extensive management experience, having owned and operated Global aircraft ourselves and for our clients.

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Locations

Bournemouth International Airport (EGHH)

Our Bournemouth International Airport facility, a hangar and office facility of over 135,000 sq ft provides an extraordinary space which we aim to turn into one of Europe’s flagship business aviation facilities.

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Group Headquarters, 25 Templer Avenue, Farnborough.

25 Templer Avenue, Farnborough is home to our Group headquarters and is the nerve centre for the European Air division. With excellent access to the facilities at the airport.

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