Our hardening approach

Taking into account an experience in systems hardening dating back to 1966, NUCLETUDES has built a methodology that can cope with the different industrial constraints related to the systems that need to be hardened.

NUCLETUDES provides its know-how to the Prime Contractors as well as to their equipment manufacturers and subcontractors. NUCLETUDES proposes recommendations regarding the hardening strategy to be followed, but the final decision remains in the hands of the Prime Contractor for the system or in the hands of the manufacturer for an equipment.

Two types of industrial development are considered :

• Development of a new System : in such a case a design-to-hardening strategy can be considered as the hardening constraints can be taken into account right from the beginning of the development. This case is typically encountered for military programs.
• Adaptation of an existing system : in this case only limited modifications can be considered, considering as much as possible commercial-off-the-shelf elements.

General logic of Hardening works

Hardening assistance to the Prime Contractor

• Design definition
      =>  These activities performed in the early phase of the development consist in defining with the Prime Contractor the
             system design option(s) that should be the most favorable to stand the specified radiations and EM environment
• System and equipment hardening performances
• Hardening design rules
• Components selection
• Hardening allocations
• Electrical chains hardening validation tests
• Qualification
• System hardening justification file

Hardening assistance to the equipment manufacturers

• Equipment design analysis
• Hardening modifications proposals submitted to the equipment manufacturer
• Hardening validation
• Qualification

This methodology is adapted whenever required, in coordination with the Prime Contractor. The constant objective is to take into account the best way possible the specific characteristics and constraints of the system.