An interest in complex systems
“After completing my studies in engineering, I spent four years working in aeronautical design. Building on this initial experience in complex systems engineering, I joined the Naval Group site at Ollioules, where I worked on the SYCOBS 3.0 product line, the shared core of the combat systems installed on second and third generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and Barracuda nuclear attack submarines (SSNs).
Nine months ago, I switched to an R&D role to work on the tactical weapons system (SAT 3.0) product line, which will ultimately be deployed on the Blacksword Barracuda and the future ocean-going submarine (FSMO), both designed for export. The tactical weapons system is one of the major systems installed on submarines, allowing torpedoes, missiles and mines to be deployed and ensuring that they can reach their designated targets.”
Successfully implementing digital systems engineering for the SAT 3.0 product line
“Following on from SYCOBS 3.0, which covers the shared core of submarine combat systems, my first goal is to implement digital systems engineering across the entire SAT scope, i.e. a common core of requirements that will cover not only torpedo and missile firing installations, but also equipment for storing and launching these weapons.
I am responsible for describing the generic specifications, architecture and interfaces for this equipment so Naval Group can meet the needs of its future customers without having to rewrite all the system and equipment specifications for each program. Implementing tools that are adapted to digital systems engineering within the product line will allow us to capitalise on a database of generic specifications and limit the adaptations that need to be made to suit each customer’s needs.
My second goal is to create the SAT’s digital twin making it possible to carry out simulated tests through modelling and simulation, thus ensuring that the design meets the customer’s performance requirements ahead of time. Furthermore, in the longer term, this will contribute to handling obsolescence without impacting system functionalities. The modelling work will begin from this year.”
Working with group teams
“I’m motivated by the desire to prove that this innovative project will deliver, and by the conviction that the time saved as a result will be crucial for Naval Group’s competitiveness.
This major project has been made possible thanks to collaboration between the project teams and combat systems architects. It also involves collaborative work across sites: I rely on the equipment modelling work carried out by colleagues at Angoulême-Ruelle and feedback from the underwater weapons teams at the Saint-Tropez site, who have worked on torpedo modelling and simulation.
Later in my career, I’d like to engage in roles that are more closely linked to programs, and to work on the V model top-down process for submarine combat systems,
taking part in on-board integration trials. Being present on site, implementing solutions on the integration platform, then carrying out on-board trials is crucial to ensure our work is fully in line with the operational reality.”