Coupling of Model-Based Systems Engineering and Safety Analysis in Conceptual Aircraft System Design

Abstract

Modern commercial aircraft are highly mature and proven systems. At the same time the air transport system as is will have to undergo a major transformation in the face of climate change and global efforts to reach carbon neutrality. To achieve this, new technologies and functions as well as an increasing degree of multi-functionality in aircraft systems need to be implemented. At the same time aircraft system design is fundamentally driven by the industry’s safety standards. The impact of the introduction or adaption of aircraft or system functions is difficult to estimate in early design stages. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate how integrating safety analysis into conceptual system design can improve early system architecture design. The Institute of Flight Systems of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) conducted a design study that will serve as an illustration of modelling safety processes relevant in aircraft and aircraft system design. The aircraft and its systems are modelled in a model-based systems engineering environment and Aircraft FHA, PASA and System FHA are applied within it. The model hosts current standard safety processes and allows to track design impacts on architecture and in between systems. The process will be examined with regard to adequacy and effectiveness by comparing it to a preexisting FHA.