Simon Richards

Experience

• 

  Royal Navy

  Jan 2007 - Nov 2018

  A Team Leader working in partnership with QinetiQ, planning, directing, executing and reporting aircraft software upgrade trials to strict Military Aviation Authority and/or commensurate civilian governance proce-dures resulting in military release to service:• Developed the Link 16 Human Machine Interface for the CROWSNEST programme updating an existing Sea King ASaC Mk7 system to the latest NATO standards, including integration of MIDS JTRS terminal (the first UK platform to do so)• Led mission system ground and flight testing for mission system software updates; assessing safety, confirming correct implementation, designing test scenarios, detecting and diagnosing faults using in-dustry standard recognised test tools• Produced consistently comprehensive, accurate, timely and reliable assessment reports for the Sea King Project Team leading to release to service for mission system updates• Achieved QinetiQ a high trials technical competence level and awarded subject matter expert status• Mentored and developed junior Trials Officers to achieve technical competence levels• Provided niche technical assistance and training to front line personnel and MOD project teams, includ-ing Link 16 theory and operations, radar, avionics and use of peripheral planning equipment• Provided in-depth support to federated interoperability testing with UK and other NATO platforms; ana-lysed and diagnosed Link 16 issues down to bit level, often solving complex issues to the benefit of other platforms.• Represented platforms at RN and UK national datalink working groups; provided operational input and technical opinion to inform interoperability and standard compliance issues• Prepared, edited and advised on updates to formal aircraft publications Show less A semi-executive post responsible for the maintenance of squadron operational capability, development and training of personnel whilst overlaid on primary role as a mission commander:• Managed the maintenance of aircrew currency, consistently meeting mandatory training targets • Coached, enthused, encouraged and developed junior instructors and aircrew often in difficult opera-tional circumstances• Directed the aircraft, crew and systems to achieve mission aims in peacetime and wartime environ-ments producing solid tactical results, mission reports and intelligence products• Researched and authored a study into radar anomalies experienced by front line crews in operational theatre published by the Maritime Warfare Centre Show less A course manager and instructor awarded Central Flying School accredited ‘above average’ (A2) instructor status. • Provided guidance, development and training to ab-initio and refresher students on the ground and in the air in all general aviation subjects, aircraft systems, mission systems and link 16 theory and operations; arming the students with the knowledge to fight the aircraft on the front line• As radar and mission system lead, rewrote and reformatted the extensive mission system ground-school modules producing a highly regarded training publication Show less

  • Trials Officer Datalinks/IFF SME

    Mar 2012 - Nov 2018

  • Mission Commander / Squadron Training Manager

    Jan 2009 - Mar 2012

  • Aircrew Instructor

    Jan 2007 - Jan 2009
• 

  Atheniem

  Oct 2018 - Mar 2021

  Consultant

  Multi-Link testing on CWIX and Timber ExpressUK E7 Wedgetail Delivery Team - ground training systems and TDLs

• 

  Metrea Mission Data

  Apr 2021 - now

  Land TDL TestingISR Data Links technical support

  • Principal Systems Engineer

    Aug 2024 - now

  • Chief Engineer TDL

    Jul 2023 - Aug 2024

  • Senior System Engineer

    Apr 2021 - Jul 2023