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One such researcher on secondment is Conrad, whose core areas of expertise are in Flight Control Design and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) System Engineering. At DSO, he was involved in the prototype development of the Skyblade IV UAV, a tactical UAV which operates autonomously from launch to landing, and can perform a wide variety of missions ranging from reconnaissance, battle damage assessment, to maritime security operations.
Since mid October 2007, Conrad and a team of research engineers were seconded to Singapore Technologies (ST) Aerospace, to oversee the translation of this prototype into a full system. ST Aerospace is the aviation arm of local defence engineering company ST Engineering, a key industry partner to DSO and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
For the purpose of this project, the DSO team partnered their ST Aerospace counterparts. Such a partnership combines ST Aerospace's large-scale engineering experience with DSO's technological know-how, in order to effectively push out a successful final product, says Conrad.
For Conrad, a typical work day is focused on dealing with project related issues. These can cover programme schedule discussions and updates, technical evaluation of sub-systems, contractor negotiations, and updates to senior management and the SAF's procurement agency, the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA). "Compared to DSO, there is little room for experimentation, and work is typically driven by schedule and cost," he says.
These challenges, however, have also brought about much benefit and takeaways, Conrad shares. "Such a move brings us out of our comfort zones, where we will need to robustly rationalise our choices."
He notes the much wider exposure to the defence community that working on this joint project has provided. "Our technical recommendations and designs are ultimately reviewed by a high-level approval panel comprising DSO engineers and chief engineers from ST Aerospace. We also have to measure against the yardsticks of SAF, DSTA and even internally within the project team itself."
Another key takeaway is the importance of designing with the end product in mind. "We have to constantly consider whether the product is producible and maintainable at the design stage, to ensure smoother transition to production," he says firmly.
Of course, it is not all work and no play. There have been occasions to take a breather, and for engineers from both sides to bond as a group. "Early in the programme, all the engineers in the project team were sent on a three-day Outward Bound course to foster better understanding and team spirit," recalls Conrad. "We found it to be a good way to break the ice and get the team moving in the right direction."
Despite being on secondment, Conrad still maintains strong ties with the DSO family. "Seconded staff are given the freedom to return to DSO for division updates and recreational activities, in addition to visits for technical consultations with specialists in DSO," he says.
Overall, Conrad enjoys and relishes these new, day-to-day challenges that his secondment brings. He calls it a unique learning opportunity, adding: "I have found this secondment experience to be highly challenging, both from a technical and programme perspective. I believe there is a lot of scope for learning and personal development, which will ultimately broaden and deepen my technical ability."
He continues: "In spite of having to face many different challenges working in a new environment, a secondment experience can definitely benefit staff at all levels."
Photo Caption
Conrad (left) with Lim Kok Yong (right), a Guided Systems Division colleague who was also seconded to ST Aerospace, at the Singapore Airshow in February 2008. Behind them is a model of the Skyblade IV UAV, which Conrad is currently overseeing the development of. |