Free Essays on Cisco Company

COMPANY PROFILE Cisco Systems is one of the largest network communications company in the world. Cisco provides networking solutions that customers use to build a integrated information infrastructure of their own, or to connect to someone else’s network. Cisco also offers an extensive range of hardware products used to form information networks, or to give them access to these networks. Cisco also has it’s own software called IOS software, which provides network services and enables networked applications. Cisco serves customers in a wide range of businesses, such as corporations, government agencies, utilities, and educational institutes, and small to medium size businesses. Cisco sells it’s products worldwide. They serve as many as 115 different countries. They have more than 225 sales and support offices in 75 countries. Cisco strongly believes in the advantages of a global networked business. By using networked applications over the internet and it’s own inter nal network, Cisco is gaining financial contribution of at least $825 million a year in operating costs savings and revenue enhancements. Today, Cisco is the largest commerce site, with 87% of their orders are transacted over the web. Cisco is one of Americas greatest corporate success stories. Since shipping it’s first product in 1986, The company has grown into a global market leader that holds No.1 or No.2 market share in almost every market section in which it participates. Cisco went public in 1990 on the nasdaq stock market with annual revenues at $69 million in that year. But now their revenues are at $12.2 billion in fiscal 1999. Their revenues in the last four quarters are shown in the figure below. QUARTERS REVENUES Q3 (ending 4/00) $4.9 billion Q2 (ending 1/00) $4.3 billion Q1 (ending 10/99) $3.9 billion Q4 (ending 7/99) $3.6 billion Cisco world headquarters: San Jose, California, USA Senior Management * John Cham... Free Essays on Cisco Company Free Essays on Cisco Company COMPANY PROFILE Cisco Systems is one of the largest network communications company in the world. Cisco provides networking solutions that customers use to build a integrated information infrastructure of their own, or to connect to someone else’s network. Cisco also offers an extensive range of hardware products used to form information networks, or to give them access to these networks. Cisco also has it’s own software called IOS software, which provides network services and enables networked applications. Cisco serves customers in a wide range of businesses, such as corporations, government agencies, utilities, and educational institutes, and small to medium size businesses. Cisco sells it’s products worldwide. They serve as many as 115 different countries. They have more than 225 sales and support offices in 75 countries. Cisco strongly believes in the advantages of a global networked business. By using networked applications over the internet and it’s own inter nal network, Cisco is gaining financial contribution of at least $825 million a year in operating costs savings and revenue enhancements. Today, Cisco is the largest commerce site, with 87% of their orders are transacted over the web. Cisco is one of Americas greatest corporate success stories. Since shipping it’s first product in 1986, The company has grown into a global market leader that holds No.1 or No.2 market share in almost every market section in which it participates. Cisco went public in 1990 on the nasdaq stock market with annual revenues at $69 million in that year. But now their revenues are at $12.2 billion in fiscal 1999. Their revenues in the last four quarters are shown in the figure below. QUARTERS REVENUES Q3 (ending 4/00) $4.9 billion Q2 (ending 1/00) $4.3 billion Q1 (ending 10/99) $3.9 billion Q4 (ending 7/99) $3.6 billion Cisco world headquarters: San Jose, California, USA Senior Management * John Cham...

Conjugating the Italian Verb Mandare

Conjugating the Italian Verb Mandare mandare: to send Regular  first-conjugation Italian verbTransitive verb (takes a  direct object) INDICATIVE/INDICATIVO Presente io mando tu mandi lui, lei, Lei manda noi mandiamo voi mandate loro, Loro mandano Imperfetto io mandavo tu mandavi lui, lei, Lei mandava noi mandavamo voi mandavate loro, Loro mandavano Passato Remoto io mandai tu mandasti lui, lei, Lei mand noi mandammo voi mandaste loro, Loro mandarono Futuro Semplice io mander tu manderai lui, lei, Lei mander noi manderemo voi manderete loro, Loro manderanno Passato Prossimo io ho mandato tu hai mandato lui, lei, Lei ha mandato noi abbiamo mandato voi avete mandato loro, Loro hanno mandato Trapassato Prossimo io avevo mandato tu avevi mandato lui, lei, Lei aveva mandato noi avevamo mandato voi avevate mandato loro, Loro avevano mandato Trapassato Remoto io ebbi mandato tu avesti mandato lui, lei, Lei ebbe mandato noi avemmo mandato voi aveste mandato loro, Loro ebbero mandato Future Anteriore io avr mandato tu avrai mandato lui, lei, Lei avr mandato noi avremo mandato voi avrete mandato loro, Loro avranno mandato SUBJUNCTIVE/CONGIUNTIVO Presente io mandi tu mandi lui, lei, Lei mandi noi mandiamo voi mandiate loro, Loro mandino Imperfetto io mandassi tu mandassi lui, lei, Lei mandasse noi mandassimo voi mandaste loro, Loro mandassero Passato io abbia mandato tu abbia mandato lui, lei, Lei abbia mandato noi abbiamo mandato voi abbiate mandato loro, Loro abbiano mandato Trapassato io avessi mandato tu avessi mandato lui, lei, Lei avesse mandato noi avessimo mandato voi aveste mandato loro, Loro avessero mandato CONDITIONAL/CONDIZIONALE Presente io manderei tu manderesti lui, lei, Lei manderebbe noi manderemmo voi mandereste loro, Loro manderebbero Passato io avrei mandato tu avresti mandato lui, lei, Lei avrebbe mandato noi avremmo mandato voi avreste mandato loro, Loro avrebbero mandato IMPERATIVE/IMPERATIVO Presente - manda, mandi, mandiamo, mandate, mandino INFINITIVE/INFINITO Presente  - mandare Passato - avere mandato PARTICIPLE/PARTICIPIO Presente - mandante ​ Passato  - mandato GERUND/GERUNDIO Presente  - mandando Passato - avendo mandato

The meaning of Daoist concepts of &#8220nature&#8221 andor Research Proposal

The meaning of Daoist concepts of “nature” andor “technique” and their possible inspirations for today’s cosmology or ecology - Research Proposal Example The principles of the Tao have been helpful in "environmental philosophy, [for those] who see the non-anthropocentric nature of Taoism as a guide for new ways of thinking about nature and environmental ethics."2 One book that is extremely helpful is Daoism and Ecology: Ways Within a Cosmic Landscape, edited by N.J. Girardot, James Miller, and Liu Xiaogan, which is "currently the most thorough introduction to studies done on concepts of nature and ecology within Taoism."3 Chinese philosophy is concerned primarily with the realness of existing problems and how to solve those issues in a concrete fashion. As the writer Jordan Paper says in "Chinese Religion, 'Daoism,' and Deep Ecology" in the book Deep Ecology and World Religions, In other words, real solutions for the problems of the environment are probably going to come from those who hold Taoist beliefs, or beliefs similar to Taoism/Daoism. Why is this It is probably because Taoism teaches tenets that reflect a concern for the environment. Chinese tradition does not, on the whole, intellectualize these problems like the environment. However, as one has seen as recently at the 2008 Summer Olympics in China, the Chinese have a long way to go in terms of regulating their own environment as far as pollution is concerned. "A miasma of lead, mercury, sulfur dioxide, and other elements of coal-burning and car exhaust hovers over most Chinese cities."5 Why is there not more activism and involvement regarding the environment in a country where there is such a great percentage of the population that is religiously committed to conserving its environment This remains a mystery. Perhaps it is because those Chinese who are Taoists/Daoists are not in positions of power to be able to create effective change in China with regard to the pollution. It is large corporations who are committing the crimes against the environment, which likely do not care about Taoist values, and could care less about the Chinese environment and the environment of the rest of the world, such as the U.S., which sees smog from China on its West Coast which travels across the sea. The pollution problem is an issue that should concern the Chinese, and it is possible that it does, with breathing difficulties becoming an increasing liability. However, companies' powers trump the activism of only a few individuals. Unless there is a unified, organized movement in China in order to create effective change, there will not be change in China with regards to the pollution problem. Jordan Paper, in his chapter in Deep Ecology and World Religions, further emphasizes the difference between Chinese mode of thought which centers on experience and Western tradition, which focuses on dogma: "Hence, Western intellectuals and Western-influenced Chinese intellec- tuals tend to derive theories from Chinese texts that have

How Apple Company developed Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

How Apple Company developed - Research Paper Example The product range offered by the company includes mobile phones, computer operating systems and other consumer electronics. Delivering effective products as well as user friendly technology services to the customers in the worldwide market, the company has given tough competition to its rivals operating in identical business conditions. Owing to this aspect the performance of the company has seen a continuous hike which further rewarded a leadership position to the company in the global business world. However, like every company, there were certain negative aspects associated with the company which ultimately hampered its brand image to a considerable margin on the basis of sustainability (Mrak-Blumberg, Renery and Bundgaard, â€Å"Strategic Report for Apple Computer Inc†). From an overall perspective, it can be stated that the development of the company, from its inception stage to the modern day, has been a vital topic of debate. The rapid development of Apple Inc has been quite a significant topic of study in the recent times owing to its aggressively competitive approach to sustenance. The rapid growth of Apple, over the years, can also be affirmed as a result of its commitment towards delivering quality products and services, keeping pace with the continually changing preferences of its customers. This thesis would therefore aim at addressing the development of Apple, since its inception to the present day. As can be observed from the above conducted theoretical analysis of Apple’s performance, although the company has been able to secure its leadership position going through various ups and downs, the future probable rise in competition is likely to raise certain barriers to the trend in case of Apple. This further indicates the requirement to conduct a rigorous research to understand the rudimental driving forces which have contributed to the performance

Compare the attitudes to war in the three poems Essay Example for Free

Compare the attitudes to war in the three poems Essay Rule Britannia was written in 1740. The title Rule causes the reader to think that this is a command by God. Rule Britannia is an extremely patriotic poem which creates the image that Britain is the place of the Lord and Britain is the best. This image is implied by: Arose from out the azure land, This was the charter of the land, And guardian angels sung the strain This quotation would make the reader think that Britain was born from the sea, by guardian angels who are the messengers from God. This implies that God created Britain and how it came out from the sea, so we Britain should rule the sea. Another way that the patriotic image is implied is by the chorus: Rule, Britannia, rule the waves; Briton never will be slaves. This leads the reader to think that the British are extremely arrogant, how they think they will never be slaves also how Britain think they are the Gods of the sea. A 21st century reader would of seen this poem as patriotic and arrogant but a person reading this in 1740 would of seen this as true. Britain did rule the sea and the British at the time would have never thought they would be slaves, they thought they were too big and important for that. This poem is very rude about other countries in particular Spain. James Tompson describes other countries as Tyrants, in the context that this word is used it implies that other countries are arrogant harsh arbitrary people, some readers my think that the use of tyrant is referring to these foreigners being criminals. This is another way that the poem shows arrogance, how the Britain is great and how all the other countries are criminals. The writer uses the image of the oak tree to create a patriotic image again: Still more majestic shalt thou rise, More dreadful from each foreign stroke; As the loud blast that tears the skies Serves but to only root thy native oak. What this is saying basically is that every time Britain gets attacked it gets stronger. When an oak tree normally gets hit with thunder of lightning( a metaphor for canon fire from Britains enemys) which is being implied in line three of that quotation you would expect it to get destroyed and split in half. This does not happen though, it just makes Britain stronger. This would create an extremely patriotic image of how Britain is just getting stronger from each attack and how the enemy is never going to destroy Britain. Near the end of this poem another patriotic image is created, and manly hearts to guard the fair. This implies the image that the British guard their women and how the British are true gentlemen. Rule Britannia sees war as a holy thing, war is something that God would not condemn. This is achieved by the chorus Rule, Britannia, rule the waves; this gives the impression that Britain should rule the waves, the word rule is used in an interesting way. When I first read this poem I thought that the word was Royal, as in it was a holy thing. I believe this is a deliberate effect, the word rule is there to make the reader think that Britain should rule the sea but I think it is also there deliberately as a simile to make the reader to think of Royal which would make the reader think that ruling the sea is a command from God. If it was a command from God it would mean that he was telling Britain to rule the sea so fight any wars they need to accomplish this. Rule Britannia is a very confident poem, no where in the poem does doubt creep in. . Rule, Britannia, rule the wave Briton will never be slaves When you read this you see the image of people singing this loud, confident of what they have to do. This implies that this poem is for war, the writer James Tompson implies that war is a jolly thing something that has to be done, this is accomplished by the poem. The chorus of poem is meant to be sung, when I think of singing I associate it with singing things which are right and merry, it is not very often you sing about sad things, when the poem was written James tompson knew this and deliberately made it so the chorus would be sung. In Royal Britannia they poet fails to mention of the negative, he even goes to the extent of saying that war just makes Britain stronger, this can be seen in my third quote on page 1. This helps to build the confidence of the poem because no negatives have been mentioned; this is implying that there are no negative things about war. The charge of the light brigade is very confident on the surface but then some doubt seems to creep in. The crucial line in this poem is Some one had blundered: this line is extremely impersonal. It is the first sign of doubt creeping in. Later on in the charge of the light Brigade the same line is repeated twice, this line is All the world wondered. This line shows that people were question why these men were fighting, what was the point of this. This view of doubt never entered the first poem, it was like everyone was agreed that war was a great thing, in the second poem this doubt comes in and Tennyson is showing that not everyone thinks that war is so glorious. Unlike the Rule Britannia the charge of the light Brigade mentions negative things about war. I believe Tennyson is trying to show the reader that the war is not all great, people do die. As I mentioned before the line about someone blundering is extremely impersonal, this implies to the reader that in war there are no individuals, everyone is just seen as cannon fodder, if you die no one cares. The way the line is said makes this event sound like it happens often, normally when someone blunderers or dies you would be shocked but the way it is said makes it sound like a common event of war, Tennyson has deliberately not used !, I believe this is him trying to show there is no shock. In war there are deaths all the time, it is nothing special I believe this is what the author is trying to show. Rule Britannia sees war something that is necessary, it needs to be done to control the tyrants, without war these criminals would take the seas, Rule Britannia even gives the impression that the ruling the sea is a command from God. The charge of the light brigade is completely opposite to the view that war is backed by God, Tennyson associates war with death, Back from the mouth of Death, this implies that when these men where charging they were going into hell, so they when they fight and have a war they are entering hell, Tennyson is saying that was is thing of the Devil so it is evil. The charge of the light brigade implies that war creates heroes. This can be seen by Stormed at with shot and shell. While horse and hero fell and Honour the charge they made Honour the light Brigade When the soldiers started they were described in a very impersonal way, now they are being described as heroes. This would make the reader think that the poet opinion is that the people who fight in war become heroes. The charge of the light Brigade was written 1854. The word charge implies the image that this attack was very uncontrolled, unorganised attack. The charge of the light Brigade is very confident on the surface but doubt does creep in the further you go in. This poem has a rhyme which imitates horses galloping. All through the charge of the light brigade there are associations with death and the devil, Jaws of hell and Into the valley of Death. The charge of the light Brigade has two endings, the first one was edited so it was suitable for the reader. The ending which is printed in this booklet honours the men who took part in the charge more that the other ending. The second ending describes the actions of the men as bold, this implies that the actions of the men were stupid and not thought out. To be continued.

Human Beings and Their Control Over Nature in the Twentieth Century Ess

Human Beings and Their Control Over Nature in the Twentieth Century Throughout the history of western civilization, the human race has had a continuing relationship with nature and the environment. Progress has improved the way in which human beings use natural resources and the ways in which they work together to improve the quality of life. Developments in science and technology of the twentieth-century have greatly improved the way that humans interact. As the technological advancements of the twentieth-century progressed from the discovery of vaccinations to computer age technology, humans have learned to take a considerable amount of control over their lives and the environment as compared to the past, in which humans had very little control over nature. These progressions have had positive and negative effects on society. Positively, medical research has been able to allow the human race to lengthen life span and improve the work of genetics. Science has connected the globe through computer technology. The negative aspects of progres sion have some far-reaching consequences, such as new forms of imperialism, the atomic bomb, and destruction of the environment. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, poor living conditions and disease plagued western civilization. Europeans had little control over their environment. The Old Regime way of life caused a fear of change and new ways of thinking were usually condemned. The economy of subsistence reflected the general outlook of society. Little or no growth took place. The mindset during this time period was, in fact, à ¬better safe than sorryà ®. Improvements, however, were made during the Industrial Revolution and throughout the twentieth centur... .... 9. Rogers 524. 10. Rogers 524. 11. Rogers 528. 12. Rogers 385. 13. Rogers 535. 14. Rogers 382. 15. Donald Kagan, et al, The Western Heritage Brief Edition Volume II: Since 1648 (Upper Saddle River NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1996) 697. 16. Kagan 747. 17. Kagan 747. Bibliography - Riehl, Nikolaus and Frederick Seitz. Stalin's Captive: Nikolaus Riehl and the Soviet Race for the Bomb. The United States of America: American Chemical Society and the Chemical Heritage Foundation, 1996. This book largely details the experiences of the scientist, Nikolaus Riehl, who spent 10 years as a captive of the Soviet Union. He worked on the production of pure uranium for the Soviet nuclear bomb program. This relates to the topic of Human Beings and Their Control Over Nature with respect to the production of nuclear weapons.

IPSR – apache desert ops

It was originally designed to be an awesome and highly manoeuvrable weapons platform to combat the might of the Soviet Army as their tanks advanced across the Russian Steppes towards Western Europe. Today, long after the demise of the Cold War, the Apache helicopter has become a key tool in winning the war against terror. Such are the geographical locations of the ‘Axis of Evil' nations, that the ability to operate in desert environments is of paramount importance. To be able to deliver capability in such conditions, the armed forces must also train for warfare in a similar environment. The British currently have armed forces fulfilling operational commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq, and have recently conducted training exercises in Oman and Arizona. At present there are no indications to suggest that the current political situation is about to change to any large degree. Therefore, with the promise of desert operations for the foreseeable future, it is imperative that the operators and maintainers of all battle-winning equipment go to every practicable length to ensure that their equipment is fit for purpose. It could be argued that a modern attack helicopter, with a multitude of high-speed, high-tech, rotating components, complex gadgetry and sensitive sights and weapon systems, all manufactured to close tolerances, presents a lot to consider. Add to that the ever-present consideration of ‘flight safety', which places extra onus on the requirement for absolute reliability, then indeed maintaining Attack Helicopters in desert conditions has the potential to become a veritable minefield. There is much inherent strength in the design and construction of such rotorcraft but the desert environment does take a lot out of them and as a consequence reliability suffers. The purpose of this project is to look specifically at the Apache, now that it has established itself on operations in Afghanistan, and consider what improvements can be made to increase serviceability, efficiency and availability. The US Army gives assurances that the Apache contributed to the Desert Storm Victory by destroying approximately 500 Iraqi tanks1 and being available over 90% of the time. However, the story behind those numbers is very important in terms of understanding this piece of high-tech weaponry. The Apache demanded such a high level of logistic support that the US Army engaged in several management initiatives to keep the helicopters flying and repaired in the Gulf. * Over 300 Apaches worldwide were essentially grounded in order to provide spare parts for 274 Apaches in the Gulf. Apaches outside of the Gulf flew an average of four minutes per day, only 10% of normal operations in order to save spare parts.2 * Despite receiving massive logistical support, Apaches in the Gulf only flew at or below peacetime rates, even during the ground war reporting period.3 The peacetime rate is about 1/2 hour of flying per day, averaged over a month. This means that throughout the war Apaches only flew one fifth of the hours the US Army stated it would require for combat4. It is possible that combat objectives for the Apache were achieved during the 100 hour ground war, but even so it remains unclear how a longer conflict would have strained Apache supply and readiness. So, there are clearly lessons to be learnt from the American experiences during Desert Storm, where the harsh desert environment stretched the supply line to its limits. The British fleet of 67 Apaches is already stretched before the demands of Desert operations take their toll. The British Army must therefore seek ways to minimise the effects of the environment on their helicopters if they are to fulfil their designed role on operations. The group will consider all aspects of the Apache aircraft and study the effects of the various characteristics of the desert environment on each aircraft system. The prime purpose of the Apache is to act as a flying weapons platform; the remainder of the aircraft's systems, although critical in their own right, are largely irrelevant if the delivery of the weapons payload is compromised because of environmental conditions. The author has consequently selected the weapons systems as his specific area of research and having gathered and digested all of the available evidence, he will be able to offer recommendations that may assist the Apache operators in enabling them to fulfil their role. 2. AIM To identify the damaging effects caused by sustained operations in a desert environment and to establish procedures to limit that damage5. 3. GROUP MEMBERS' BACKGROUNDS AND PROJECT ROLES The group has established a clear set of project objectives, which will encompass every aspect of the aircraft and the desert environment. The group goal is to produce realistic and deliverable outcomes. The project's main objectives are: * To identify which components are suffering from the effects of desert operations. * To understand the mechanism of the effect. * To develop measures to reduce the effect * To produce a coherent set of procedures to be adopted pre-deployment and during operations. 3.1 Author's Role and Enabling Objective. The author has 20 years experience of aircraft engineering within British Army aviation. His is currently employed as the manager of ground support elements at a first line aviation regiment. He has previously been involved with helicopter fleet management, delivery of technical training, and forward and depth maintenance. The Author's role within the group is to investigate how operating in a desert environment affects the efficacy of attack helicopter weapons systems, and to suggest procedural changes to ameliorate the effects and overcome tangible problems. 3.2 Runner Grewal's Role and Enabling Objective. Runner Grewal has been employed at various British Army Aviation units around the world; as a shop floor technician and supervisor and at management levels. During this time he has been involved with several deployments to the Middle East and has first hand experience of desert operations. Runner's role within this project is to explore the way the Apache's engines are affected by the harsh desert environment and to produce recommendations that would enable the effects to be minimised. 3.3 Chris Hueck's Role and Enabling Objective. Although trained as a toolmaker Chris Hueck has spent the past 15 years in Army Aviation in various theatres of operation and on several Aircraft types. He has been employed as a shop floor technician and as an Artificer at both first line and depth maintenance levels. Chris' role in the group is to examine the effects a desert environment can have on the Main Rotor and Tail Rotor Hub and Blades on Apache attack helicopters, and to find engineering and procedural solutions to limit the damage. 3.4 Bob Beckwith's Role and Enabling Objective. Bob Beckwith is employed as the leader of the On Site Support Team at the Lynx Business Unit. Although heavily involved with British Army Lynx helicopters, he has previously been involved with the delivery of Apache technical training. He initially trained as an avionics technician and through a long period of involvement with British Army Aviation he has accrued a broad depth of knowledge of rotary wing operations. Bob's role is to investigate the effects of the desert environment on the attack helicopter avionics and instrument systems and produce a series of recommendations to minimize these effects. 3.5 Daz Roderick's Role and Enabling Objective. Daz Roderick has been employed in running a maintenance section responsible for carrying out the inspection, modification and repair of Army helicopters. His role is to investigate the effects of operating in a desert environment on the Attack Helicopter structure and to compile recommendations to ameliorate the effects 3.6 David Bower's Role and Enabling Objective David Bower has been employed in many aspects of Army aviation including delivery of technical training, as an Engineering Desk Officer in the Lynx Integrated Project Team (IPT) and more recently in forward and depth maintenance of Lynx and Apache helicopters. David's role in the group is to examine the effect of a desert environment on flight control systems in attack helicopters, providing an understanding of the damaging effect in order to propose mitigating procedures or modifications. 3.7 Andy Evan's Role and Enabling Objective Andy Evans has been employed in broad ranging aspects of helicopter engineering. He has recently been employed in an accident investigation capacity and this role involved investigation of any incidents resulting from a technical fault. Andy's role is to investigate the effects of the desert environment on the AH transmission system and to produce procedural recommendations to counter those effects. 4. ANALYSIS OF AUTHOR'S TASK The Apache weapons set-up consists of three major subsystems, namely the Area Weapons System, the Missile System and the Rocket System. These systems are linked to other aircraft and weapons related subsystems such as Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) and Target Acquisition and Designation System & Pilots Night Vision System (TADS/PNVS). In turn the FCR and TADS/PNVS interface with the pilot's controls and display systems. For simplicity and by way of giving boundaries to the area of research, the author will be concentrating his research into the electronics and hydro-mechanical aspects of the three main sub systems. Fig 1. Weapon Inventory 4.1 The Area Weapons System (AWS). The M139 AWS provides the aircraft with an accurate, quick response weapon for close, medium and long range suppressive fire on soft or medium type targets using a range of 30mm projectiles. The AWS consists of three subsystems * The M230E1 Gun * Turret Assembly * Ammunition Handling System Fig 2. Area Weapons System Ancillary subsystems and components pertinent to the operation of the AWS include the System Processors, Controls and Displays subsystem, Utility Hydraulic subsystem, Embedded GPS Inertials (EGI) and Air Data subsystem. This weapon is a crucial component in the Apache's arsenal, and must function as required whilst operating in desert environments. The author will conduct research into the current effects of the operations on the AWS and all of its subsystems. 4.1.1 It is not anticipated that there will be problems with the gun subsystem, as this is a rugged well proven design that is used on various other platforms. It is probable that the only desert precaution required on this subsystem is the requirement for a more frequent and rigid cleaning regime, without the use of excessive lubricants. The author also suspects that there may be a probability that sand and dust may contaminate the barrel whilst the aircraft is parked; he will therefore consider the viability of introducing a muzzle cover to be used on the ground. 4.1.2 The Turret Assembly subsystem is hydraulically driven and electrically controlled and provides support and positioning of the gun under all aircraft operating and weapon firing conditions. The hydraulic and electronic aspects should be reliable under desert conditions and therefore fairly trouble free. The one area of potential concern is sand and dust ingress into the gears and bearings within the Azimuth Drive Assembly. The author will investigate the occurrences of problems on this subsystem; it is suspected that a strict cleaning regime would be a sufficient and efficient preventative maintenance undertaking to overcome the majority of potential pitfalls. 4.1.3 The Ammunition Handling System's (AHS) primary function is to store, transport and transfer 30mm linkless ammunition for the AWS. The ammunition is stored in the Ammunition Storage Magazine, and is then transferred to the gun along the right hand side of the aircraft. This is deemed to be the most susceptible subsystem within the AWS to the effects of a desert environment. It has a various sub-components that may be particularly vulnerable to damage through sand and dust contamination. The author will research into the extent of the problems experienced with the AHS and will seek solutions and recommendations accordingly. Initial research6 has revealed that the Sideloader Loadhead Assembly which is the electromechanical device that loads ammunition into the AHS is particularly susceptible. It is a complex and detailed unit that must be kept free from contamination, the author will determine the exact nature of the concerns and attempt to reach some conclusions and recommendations. 4.2 The Missile System The Longbow Hellfire Modular Missile System (LBHMMS) provides the primary weapons system for the Apache. It provides combat crews the capability of multiple target engagement; indirect fire; day, night and adverse weather operation; extended range; short flight time; rapid or ripple firing, and fire and forget capability. The LBHMMS consists of three subsystems: * Missile Launcher * Missiles * Environmental Protection Covers 4.2.1 The Apache can carry up to four M299 launchers, which are fitted to the stores pylons on either the inboard or outboard stations, dependent upon the aircraft's role configuration. The author foresees there being causes for concern regarding certain aspects of the launcher assemblies, in particular: * Overheating of the Launcher Electronic Assembly * Sand contamination of the launcher rails * Sand contamination of the Umbilical connectors and springs Fig 3. The Longbow Hellfire Modular Missile System 4.2.2 The missiles themselves are not deemed to be an area of specific concern. They are stored in almost clinical conditions, and procedure dictates that they are only loaded when required. They should therefore be immune to the erosion and excessive heat exposure that may affect other components. However the author is conscious that no stone be left unturned, and will carry out research to confirm his suspicions. 4.2.3 The Environmental Protection Covers are not a consideration, as they are the intrinsic anti-deterioration device for the missile system. They comprise frangible covers for the missile tips that are detonated immediately prior to missile launch. This adds further weight to the author's confidence in the strong desert-resistant qualities of the missiles themselves. 4.3 The Rocket System The Aerial Rocket Control System (ARCS) enables the rapid and effective delivery of up to seventy six 70mm rockets against light armour and soft targets. The ARCS consists of three subsystems: * M261 Rocket Launcher * Rockets and Warheads * Controls and Displays 4.3.1 The M261 Rocket Launcher is the prime area for concern within the ARCS system. The launcher is of aluminium construction, which by its very nature is susceptible to sand erosion damage. The author has already been made aware of issues concerning this piece of equipment. The MoD have raised an urgent requirement for an evaluation of the effects of sand and dust on the lightweight rocket launchers7. The author intends to chase this particular lead and ascertain the exact nature and extent of the damage being caused, and how the solutions offered by TUV product service will enhance desert operations. 4.3.2 For similar reasons given for the Hellfire Missiles, the author foresees no areas of concern with regards to the Rockets and Warheads or the Controls and Display Subsystems. However, the launcher electrical connections may be susceptible to extreme heat damage, the author will therefore pursue that route of enquiry. 5. AUTHOR'S PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Having changed his Enabling Objective from Avionics and Instruments to Weapons Systems, the author has quickly identified his personal areas of concern. Initial research and familiarisation with the Apache weapons systems has identified the most likely areas to be susceptible to the harsh environmental conditions, as detailed in Para 4. The next step is to confirm that the identified problem areas do indeed need addressing. There are plentiful sources of information available and at the time of writing the author is awaiting information from: * Joint Helicopter Command * Apache Helicopter Integrated Project Team * 7 Air Asslt Bn REME * 3 & 9 Regt Army Air Corps * Work Recording and Asset Management (WRAM) database. There is also a meeting planned at the Service and Repair Agency at Wattisham, where the weapons system components are repaired and overhauled. Here the author hopes to witness the depth of the damage being caused by desert operations and the level of repair necessary. The internet has proven to be a worthwhile source of information; it is from here that the author retrieved statistical data from the US Apache Operations on Desert Storm. Mr Clodfelter of Inter Coastal Electronics has given the author information on the desert performance of the Collective Training System (helicopter ‘laser-quest'); however, the author is unlikely to pursue this lead as it is a training system only. The author has been an active early contributor to the group as a whole and has been instrumental in establishing the Group Site on MSN, which has enabled the transfer of information with ease. He hosted and took the minutes for the first group meeting and was the inspiration behind establishing the Enabling Objectives that would provide deliverable outcomes for all group members. The author continues to search daily on the internet for useful information that may benefit the outcome of the whole project. 6. GROUP ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROGRESS The group has gelled early, and the quickly established EOs8 which have enabled individual group members to concentrate on specific areas of research. This was achieved by breaking down the aircraft into its main systems. There will certainly be areas that have the potential to overlap, for instance the author may well have included TADS/PNVS as part of the weapons system whilst it would also be correct for Bob Beckwith to have considered it as an avionics subsystems. Regular emails and the use of the Group MSN page has prevented confusion by encouraging regular and effective communication. The group has held two meetings thus far, discounting the initial formation at Kingston, and fall-out from these has been essential in providing momentum for project progression. There has been strong teamwork evident at these meetings, with responsibility for chairing the meetings and writing the minutes being equally shared. It is essential that a full group meeting takes place during the first reading week at Kingston in November to enable the non-Wattisham based members to offer face to face input. A specific area to be addressed is the comparison of log books as there is evidence of some discrepancy in the layout and compilation. 7. CONCLUSION At this early stage it is difficult for all individuals to be certain of their specific avenues of research. All group members have identified the areas that they suspect may be susceptible, and have made initial approaches to various agencies in the hope that they prove to be fruitful. There is certainly scope for some meaningful research and a definite requirement for improved performance in a desert environment. The team is focussed, professional and each member has a clearly defined objective.