Defense · Sonar systems · 2008–2016

Thales

Eight years designing and researching operator interfaces for nuclear and attack submarine sonar systems — the highest-stakes command-centre context I have worked in.

Client
Thales Underwater Systems — French Navy
Role
Ergonomics, interaction design, project management
Duration
2008–2016 (8 years)
Domain
Sonar operator tools, R&D, mobile, AR
01 Context

Thales Underwater Systems provides hardware and software for the French Navy. My work spanned improving existing sonar operator tools (SCUBE), a gamification project, mobile interface design, and R&D on new display devices and augmented reality.

Working in a defence context shaped a lasting discipline: designing for operators whose decisions carry real consequences, under strict security and confidentiality constraints.

02 Selected missions
2008–2011

SCUBE — improving the sonar operator interface

Ergonomic improvements to the existing sonar operator tools, plus new interaction mechanics (voice chat, pointing) and augmented-reality UX exploration.

scube · sonar operator
SCUBE — interface opérateur sonar
2015–2016

Serious game — sonar 4120

A serious game developed to showcase the advantages of the Thales 4120 sonar. My work: project management of a multidisciplinary team, and game design.

serious-game
Serious game sonar 4120
2014–2015

Onboard mobile R&D app

A future need was identified: a mobile tablet aboard the submarine to ease information transmission. I designed the app (mockups), managed development through to installation aboard, then ran user testing on the sailors' return.

mobile · app
Application mobile embarquée
mobile · splash
Application mobile — écran d'accueil
2010–2013

Vertical screens R&D

Three studies were needed to confirm the value of replacing dual screens with a single vertical screen: activity analysis, mock-ups, eye-tracking, and user testing.

r&d · vertical
R&D écrans verticaux