DEFENCE

User Centric Design operates across all three Defence domains (Land, Sea and Air) providing expert Human Factors knowledge and analysis for the MOD and its suppliers.  

Many of our clients keep returning to us, and our consultants are held in high esteem wherever they work due to their can-do, flexible attitude and skilled application of the MOD’s mandated approach to Human Factors Integration as embodied within JSP912, Def Stan 00-251, and the HuFIMS web portal. 

Nick Shorter, Director

Ben Leonard, Director

User Centric Design director Ben Leonard says:
“I was privileged to provide expert advice to front line deployed troops in Op Herrick via ‘reachbacks’ and aid rapid equipment insertion through UORs. This unique vantage point meant I was able to see the advantage that Human Factors can provide for mounted and dismounted soldiers. I now apply the lessons learned through our approach at User Centric Design”

defence user centric design.jpg

LAND

  • Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme – Human Factors Integration Plan

  • Comparison of binocular, biocular and monocular night vision goggles and weapon sights for dismounted combat and vehicle driving

  • Urgent Operational Requirements on the Specialist Vehicle programme (BR90 Bridging Vehicle)

  • Workload and Usability Assessments of the Rapidly Enabled Bridge System

  • Requirements Capture for the integration of Life Jacket and Body Armour for Land and Littoral Manoeuvres

  • Anthropometric review of seating positions in Warthog, CVR, Challenger and Warrior

  • Human Factors review of the tenders to provide a specialist vehicle to the MOD

  • Level 1 Human Factors Assessment of neck and forearm protection to secondary projectiles

  • Review of the reversionary mode of the CT40 cannon being fitted to Warrior SV and the new SCOUT vehicle

 
Complement Analysis.jpg

SEA

  • Astute submarine – Human Factors and Complementing Lead for the prime contractor

  • SSBN(F) submarine – Dreadnought sustainability analysis comparison of 3 vs 4 platforms

  • TX Ship – Complement definition for this hyper lean crew

  • MHC – Mine Countermeasures and Hydrographic Capability complement analysis and safety lead

  • MARS – Human Factors Integration input to the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship

  • Modelling the performance benefits of a variety of damage control and fire-fighting technologies for future frigates based on current platforms

Photo: © Terry Coombes

 
198.jpg

AIR

  • Poseidon P8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft – Workload analysis of mission crew and safety justification of pilot tasks

  • Watchkeeper unmanned air vehicle – Led the Human Factors Integration input for the prime contractor’s design and design justification for all aspects of this UAV

  • A Cyber Vulnerability Assessment of an RAF platform and its associated systems

MOD Studies

  • Submarine complementing

  • Creation of HuFIMS Technical Guide – Co-authored the latest Technical Guide covering Human Factors and System Safety

  • Def Stan 00-251 update – Currently reviewing and updating the MOD’s seminal Human Factors guidance 

  • HFI in Front Line Commands – Wrote the requirement and provided the Technical Leadership for the Dstl study into how Front Line Commands deliver Human Factors Integration into their procurement of capability

  • Intelligent Customer of the MOD’s uplift of their Anthropometric database ensuring credibility of data collected and 95% confidence in measurements for the full army population