Army – LAND 154 seamless integration with capability design

BACKGROUND

The use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs, or roadside bombs) by insurgents continues to represent a major threat to conventional Defence forces around the world. Part of the reason this threat is so effective is the rapidly changing nature of its use. The Australian Defence Force Joint Counter Improvised Explosive Device (JCIED) Capability provides force protection and enables freedom of manoeuvre for Australian and coalition forces from the improvised explosive device (IED) threat.  JP154 aimed to understand and further develop Australian Defence’s capability to defeat these IEDs as their use continues to evolve. Shoal supported this early-stage capability design effort, running a series of stakeholder workshops to understand the problem context and the proposed solutions. We used a structured model-based approach to gather this information and relate it in a model. This model was then used to produce an overarching understanding of the problem (in the form of an Operational Concept Document) and specification for a “family of systems” that addressed high-priority aspects of the identified operational needs.

Since 2017, Shoal has supported capability design, system acquisition, and governance for the JCIED capability, providing structure and traceability throughout the capability lifecycle. As the explosive hazard environment is continuously evolving, the Shoal team have been able to leverage our unique model-based approach to revisit user needs and iterate solution concepts, ensuring that the JCIED capability evolves commensurate with the threat.

APPROACH

Shoal proposed a team-based approach to deliver expertise specific to the needs of the project. This enabled relevant experts to be drawn upon, as and when project needs emerged. Those with previous experience on this Capability, and LAND 154, provided continuity and an already developed understanding, enabling efficiencies. Others, with a background in complex capability design, requirements analysis, the new Capability Life Cycle, and skilled in stakeholder engagement all formed part of the Project
team.

SOLUTION

The Shoal team worked as an integral part of the overall LAND 154 Phase 4 AHQ team to further develop and mature the Capability Design Documentation (CDD). This also included the support of acquisition activities and engineering governance. Throughout the project, the team developed a set of draft artefacts including:

• Engineering Management System related plans, including the Test & Evaluation Master Plan and Systems Engineering Management Plan, building in design integrity through project execution and ensuring delivered capability meets the ADFs needs
• Operational Concept Documents, exploring user needs and tracing system behaviour and definition to these needs
• Function and Performance Specifications, building an engineering specification of the system that meets the user needs
• Risk registers, understanding, tracking and tracing the level of technical risk at any point in the program.

FURTHER INITIATIVES

In addition Shoal has supported a variety of initiatives within the AHQ JCIED team, including:

• Supporting the creation of an engineering management system for an engineering organisation within Defence that is integrating Electronic Countermeasures systems into vehicles
• Scoping and development of acquisition strategies, business cases, and engagement plans across a diverse group of stakeholders.

RESULTS

Shoal’s input was used to support Government submissions and market solicitations. Army were pleased that Shoal stepped into the team to seamlessly deliver, integrating with both the JCIED team members and external stakeholder, on behalf of AHQ.