ABSTRACT
BAE SYSTEMS is prime contractor for the Nimrod Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (MRA4). The flight deck for this aircraft poses several key challenges for HMI design. Firstly, crew composition to undertake flight deck tasks has becn reduced from four on the Nimrod Mk2 to two on MRA4. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the integration of advanced flight deck systems has maintained an acceptable level of crew workload. Secondly, the ±light deck is fitted with Commercial Ofr The Shelf equipment from different suppl iers. Modification is required to ensure the different pilot interfaces form an inteb'Tated flight deck design that supports the operational role of Nimrod. Thirdly, these modifications are to be undertaken within the cost constraints of a fixed price contract. A key concern within this is the management of changc to the HMI in order to ensure cost is balanced against meeting contractual requirements with a functionally effective and timely product. In order to meet these challenges, a robust process for HMI intel:,'Tation has been adopted. This paper outlines the process used for assessing the ±light deck design, focusing on those aspects that are innovative in comparison with similar l arge scale proj ects.
