Concept development of a fixed sonobuoy launcher : A study to examine the feasibility of applying concept development methodology to solve an industry related problem

Sammanfattning:  Is it possible to apply concept development methodology to solve a real industrial problem? This study will examine if this is possible. Saab has ordered a concept which allows launching of a sonobuoy from a pressurized aircraft cabin, this is a perfect opportunity to test this theory because it is a real system with technical demands to ensure robustness and safety. The system needs to be operated in tight areas which is the reason no launcher available will be used, they do not fulfill this demand. There are also a number of demands that the concept needs to fulfill which must be ensured during the concept process. It is not common when developing a component that a thorough and systematical concept development process is carried out at Saab. Therefor it was interesting to see how it would work with a Saab related product. The concept development process was carried out thoroughly by researching known methods within the subject. It was decided that the process would not follow a singular methodology because there where no process that suited this study perfectly. The process used was decided to be parts from different literature where methods that suited the concept at the current state would be used. This was performed differently depending on the current state of the concept. For example the product requirement process were established in a different way than the concept generation because they are different, one is mostly gathering facts while the other is mainly a creative phase. Regardless of the step in the concept development process the objective was to always use some sort help from the methodology. A combination of lacking experience with the technical area and applying concept development methodology towards a industrial problem slowed down the process. The final concept were not as developed as the plan was from the start. To perform each step required more research than what was intended and some steps became an iterative process which also took time from the actual development. However, the actual process of setting up requirements, generating ideas and evaluating concepts should also be regarded as deliverable for this study. It is material that can be used for future development and this concept where never intended to be a finished design which mean it is useful material for the future. To use concept development methodology for this kind of projects is recommended based on this study. Foremost when the experience of the system is limited, it ensures that the solution space and requirements are examined more than it would have without the process. It also helps with decision making and when discussing a concept within the group which could lead to an agreement which it might not would have without the methods.