Title: Using system of systems engineering to strengthen carrier strike group C4ISR readiness evaluation

Authors: Joseph E. Tribble, Kevin MacG. Adams

Addresses: AVW Technologies, 860 Greenbrier Circle, Suite 305, Chesapeake, Virginia, USA. ' National Centers for System of Systems Engineering, Old Dominion University, 4111 Monarch Way, Suite 406, Norfolk, Virginia, USA

Abstract: The command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) entities and activities supporting carrier strike group (CSG) operations constitute a system of systems (SoS), and the US Navy would benefit from an enhanced, holistic, and systemic understanding of the evaluation of such SoSs. Emerging SoS engineering (SoSE) principles and methods can provide increased understanding and may enhance performance evaluations. The paper proposes SoSE analysis of CSG C4ISR subsystems and their certification. Following an introduction, the paper is organised in sections where: Section 2, the current state of CSG C4ISR system assessments; Section 3, readiness issues for CSGs; Section 4, implication of systems theory for CSG evaluations; Section 5, research recommendations; the authors believe this will advance the current state of evaluation of CSG C4ISR systems. The paper concludes with an explication of the central premise that the Navy can substantially enhance readiness effectiveness by adopting a holistic, SoSE-based approach to CSG C4ISR system evaluation.

Keywords: system of systems; SoS; system of systems engineering; SoSE; carrier strike group; CSG readiness; C4ISR; command control communications computers intelligence surveillance reconnaissance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSE.2011.040548

International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2011 Vol.2 No.2/3, pp.98 - 111

Published online: 16 Oct 2014 *

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