CDS provides cost-effective systems and equipment support services including technical publications, integrated logistics support (ILS), training, safety cases, hazard analysis, independent safety consultancy and audit to the UK MOD and the defence industry.
We help equipment manufacturers meet the requirements of their military customers by providing full support services essential for delivery of all new military equipment.
Operating from government-approved secure premises we provide a value for money, independent service. Our team of ex-military engineers is experienced at meeting tough deadlines on urgent operational requirements (UOR) as well as long-term projects.
We enable customers to concentrate on their principal design and manufacturing business whilst enjoying the peace of mind associated with CDS’s end-to-end support service project management.
CDS is a FATS/3 approved supplier and is conversant with all recognised military and commercial standards, including:
- ASD S1000D
- JSPs including 180 series, 418, 430, 450, 454, 520, 553
- DEF STAN 02-40, 00-60, 00-56
- AESP
- AVP70
- ATA
- POSMS
- POEMS
Writing services for defence industry technical publications
We create easy to understand, accurate, clear technical documentation in industry standard formats including AESP, AVP70 and BR. Our technical authors and illustrators produce documents in formats designed to meet audience requirements.
Before starting a project we offer consultancy and full scoping to ensure clients receive value for money. Our security cleared staff are available to work on your premises or we can run a project at our secure facility.
We produce comprehensive suites of publications including operator manuals, maintenance manuals, illustrated parts catalogues and complete equipment schedules. Our authors specialise in explaining complex procedures in clear, easy to understand documentation with detailed, accurate technical illustrations.
Our illustrators use engineering notes, rough drawings and ‘reverse engineering’ to create clear and accurate technical drawings and 3D animations. Our 3D animation manuals give users what almost amounts to ‘hands on’ experience, without the associated costs. The manuals are versatile, and are designed for use on a wide variety of devices including mobile, iPad and PC, on media ranging from CD-ROM, mobile apps and SGML to printed material.
We also provide translation services. Our translators are native speakers, with the appropriate technical background to fully understand your products and accurately translate content.
Integrated logistics support for military equipment
Our ILS engineers are experienced in assisting with the delivery into service of military equipment and systems.
We analyse system designs using established ILS techniques such as reliability and maintainability predictions (R&M), failure modes effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) and reliability centred maintenance (RCM) analysis.
These techniques can influence the design to enhance the availability, reliability and maintainability (AR&M) characteristics of the system at concept stage. Life cycle costing (LCC) analysis can give an early indication of the cost impact of a system’s entry into service and enable the cost implications of different support strategies to be reviewed.
When the design of a system has been accepted by the customer, we support the entry into service (EIS) and whole life support (WLS) of the system by assisting with training needs analysis (TNA); training, technical publications, illustrated parts catalogues; initial provisioning and spares recommendations; logistic support analysis record (LSAR); and obsolescence management.
Functional and systems safety consultancy services
CDS offers comprehensive consultancy services in the field of functional and systems safety. Our services enable our clients to deliver systems and equipment in accordance with industry best practice and prevailing legislation.
CDS produces safety and environmental case documentation for the Ministry of Defence and both large and small defence contractors for in-service, legacy and urgent operational requirement (UOR) equipment, including standalone equipment, platform installations, transmitter sites, capability and system of systems.
Our credentials include compliance with the MoD’s equipment safety and environmental management system, and POSMS and POEMS. In addition, we are fully conversant with IEC 61508.
We have thorough knowledge of Def-stan 00-56, JSP 418, 454, 520, 375, 418 and 553 and are a licensed user of CASSANDRA hazard log database software (in-house or on-site). We develop hazard logs in MS Excel or MS Access as per customers’ requirements.
Our safety assessment techniques include:
- Hazard analysis
- Functional failure analysis
- Causal analysis
- Consequence analysis
We know the EIA process and ISO 14001, as well as applied domain for naval, air and land systems.
Our independent safety auditor / advisor provides consultant support and competent and timely ‘safety-led engineering’ for improved safety performance.
Our deliverables include:
- Safety appraisal
- Safety case report part 2
- Safety case report part 3 (operational safety statement)
- Environmental impact screening and scoping (EISS) report
- Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
About CDS
CDS is one of the UK’s leading information and communications companies. We increase efficiency, improve communications, save time and reduce costs by providing the best technical publications and engineering support services available in the marketplace today.