KS3 / GCSE Design and Technology: Why is testing essential in design and build?

UNKNOWN MALE:'The submarine is huge. It's 100m long, it's three decks deep. There is no inch of the submarine' that is similar to another inch of it. I would definitely put it in the same league as a space shuttle, or projects of that size.'

UNKNOWN MALE #2:To my mind, this is a 7,000 tonne Swiss watch. There are stages when it's like blacksmithing, and there are stages when it's like brain surgery.

NARRATOR:'The Astute is one of the most technologically advanced machines in the world.

NARRATOR:'Testing is essential, and by ensuring that it's carried out through rigorous processes, products and materials can be deemed safe and fit for purpose.

NARRATOR:'This is standard industry procedure, and is critical where product design impacts on end users.'

NARRATOR:'Testing the weapon systems in the nuclear submarine is the closest they will come to a combat situation. And it's crucial that they are tested properly.

NARRATOR:'This is done by using an advanced war game scenario.'

CREW CHATTER

NARRATOR:'The weapon storage department, or torpedo room, is where weapons are loaded, stored and fired from.

NARRATOR:'The Astute is armoured with Spearfish torpedoes that have a range of over 65km, and weigh two tonnes each.

NARRATOR:'And Tomahawk cruise missiles, able to accurately hit targets more than 1,000km inland.

NARRATOR:'Today, the crew are engaging in a war game exercise to test that all the equipment is talking to each other correctly.'

MAC MACDONALD:'The plan today is to run three scenarios.'

MAC MACDONALD:These scenarios will test all aspects of the system,

MAC MACDONALD:both physically, and the crew as well, it will test them as well.

COMMANDER:OK, listen up, guys. This is your brief. Your task, you'll be allocated a patrol area in the Norwegian sea with an assigned role of surveillance and intelligence gathering.

COMMANDER:You are to patrol the area and attempt to covertly trail any deploying submarines which you detect and classify.

COMMANDER:You are to maintain a fire control solution at all times whilst on the trail.

COMMANDER:If you detect the Delta IV preparing for a weapon firing you are to conduct a simulated Spearfish engagement including water shots to ensure counter-detection. You have two hours and thirty minutes to save the world.

CREW MEMBER #1:Weapons sit-rep, weapons sit-rep.

CREW MEMBER #2:Dangerous submarine contact.

BRUCE RUSSELL:The control room up here is where we prepare the final control solution for firing a weapon. And then down below in the weapon storage department, or bomb shop, that's where we actually fire the weapons from. It's simulating the submarine

BRUCE RUSSELL:actually being used for what's it's intended.

CREW MEMBER #2:Classified Oscar.

WEAPONS OPERATOR:'Standby Spearfish attack, take track three five as target classified Oscar. From two tube.'

CREW CHATTER

WEAPONS OPERATOR:Valid active contact, weapon two.

RADIO CHATTER

WEAPONS OPERATOR:The command system uses its various algorithms to work out where we think the target's going to be and then once we've got a good fire control solution on the target, then we'll try and fire a weapon at it.

WEAPONS OPERATOR:Valid active contact, bearing one four six, range 10,700yds. That is the target, continue the attack. Roger, continue the attack.

RADIO CHATTER

CREW MEMBER #2:'Weapon is in weapon mode.'

MAC MACDONALD:It's gone very well. I think the crew were very impressed, and certainly our team were very impressed. We've all worked very hard, it's been a very long day, and I think we've all got something out of this.

NARRATOR:'The testing process has been a success, and now The Astute can prepare for the job it was designed for.'