Marshall SDG
Marshall SDG (MSDG) is a systems design house set up to provide the company and the wider defence and security community with a problem solving and solution delivering capability. With particular expertise in unmanned and remote vehicles including autonomy, power management and electronic compatibility it also provides a wide range of consultancy in areas as diverse as safety cases, vehicle integration and mechanical engineering.
MSDG's capability in the unmanned vehicle arena was highlighted when it was part of the winning team for the UK MOD Grand Challenge. MSDG’s semi-autonomous ground platform is part of a range of capabilities that include autonomous and semi-autonomous ground and air vehicles, remote controlled platforms and ground control stations.
These platforms have many applications ranging from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) to reconnaissance and surveillance using a suite of different sensors such as ISTAR, CBRN, Ground Penetrating Radar, security and safety such as fire prevention patrolling and range clearance. Design of UGVs for use in hazardous areas is a particular skill. An example of this is QUESTAR®, an agile fast moving tracked or wheeled vehicle.
The autonomous systems have given MSDG a world leading position in "follow me" vehicles. This has particular applications in assisted load carriage for overburdened troops and EOD, security and high risk workers. The company's TRAKKAR® UGV is particularly suited for this type of activity.
MSDG's understanding of autonomous systems has been extended into the area of remote control. The company has successfully fitted out a Land Rover with the necessary instrumentation and controls, and demonstrated driving it from a remote control station which replicates the remote vehicle’s driver position.
In the consultancy area MSDG provides advice on safety issues, power management, energy solutions, electronic compatibility and integrity and mechanical integration. These are used across parent company, Marshall Land Systems (MLS), and by the wider design and manufacturing community. In particular MSDG's safety critical skills in management and conflict resolution within electronic systems give it a very high reputation in designing and testing for Electro Magnetic Compatibility and Electro Magnetic Interference.
A particular capability within MSDG is the ability to assess older equipment, to provide recommendations for updating and to carryout the refurbishment. An example of this was the Run Up Trolleys used to test the powerpacks for Challenger 2 and its derivatives.
Backed by the ability to project manage complex projects, meet ISO and other quality domains, understand the end users’ need and capability requirement and provide a full through life capability (TLCM) management capability, MSDG is trusted to provide safety critical services to the UK MOD, within the Marshall Group, MDBA, BAE Systems, General Dynamics (UK) and Thales Group and many other organizations needing these services.
