Model based systems engineering process for complex command and control systems

Abstract

Systems Engineering for complex and sociotechnical systems is becoming increasingly difficult due to growing complexity in the problem and solution space. This resulted to the development of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), which applies modelling supported by an architecture framework, modelling language in a software tool. Modelling is applied to capture and represent the mental models of the systems’ stakeholders during the requirements analysis and concept development stages. The software tool enables capturing model information in a database through various diagrams and views. This data centric approach ensures consistency and traceability of the defined model elements and their relationships. Since Command and Control (C2) systems can be viewed as complex sociotechnical systems, MBSE should be useful for capturing requirements to support development of concept solutions. The MBSE method presented in his paper assists capturing of requirements for a C2 system as well as identification of the main logical block elements and their required functionality. This approach is demonstrated through development a concept C2 system solution suited to the complex operational environment of Special Operations.