Introduction

The Support Context DEX has been created to represent the combination of the Platform, System or Equipment (PSE) that is being considered and where and how it will be used by a specific operating organisation, with appropriate reference to the Support Environment, in order that the Support Solution can be established. An example could be the Merlin helicopter, which is used by the Royal Navy for Anti-submarine warfare and by the Royal Air Force as a medium-lift transport / utility helicopter. It is also flown by the Italian, Portugese and Danish military, as well being marketed for civilian use. Each of these sets of operational and support circumstances could be described by its own Support Context.

A Support Context is a representation of the environment that the PSE will be deployed in that will help to identify both the constraints and resources available for the construction of a cost effective product design and support solution for the PSE.

A Support Context is defined to be the usage profile of the PSE by a specific operating organization. Therefore, each required combination of these three elements (the PSE, its usage profile, and the operating organization), along with their associated characteristics that affect support of the PSE, have to be identified.

A related DEX for the Support Concept covers issues such as: contracting strategies, lines and levels of maintenance and supportability, cost and readiness metrics that will be used to assess the design of the support solution and the performance of the support system when it becomes operational; it is described in further detail in its own overview.