System Definition-Enabled Acquisition (SDEA) A Concept for Defining Requirements for Applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to the Acquisition of DoD Complex Systems

Abstract

The complexity of designing and acquiring weapons systems continues to increase due to highly integrated system architectures, rapid technology evolution, and emergence of highly diverse set of missions. The imperatives of system-of-systems integration and interoperability further complicate the system acquisition process. These challenges continue to frustrate completing the acquisition of systems within time and budget goals. The acquisition process is currently aligned to a DoD 5000/WSARA model which tends to be oversight-driven, but this process needs to be underpinned with a robust and dynamic systems engineering enterprise that includes repeatable and quantifiable design-driven processes and metrics in order to cope with complexity and a less experienced workforce. This paper discusses a concept for an engineering system that is tightly coupled to the acquisition process to (1) reduce acquisition time, (2) reduce risks in achieving system integration and interoperability objectives, (3) controls total ownership costs, (4) informs industry in the development of a system definition-enabled acquisition set of tools, processes, or products that are emerging in the model-based systems engineering community, and (5) supports the emergence of a younger engineering workforce as the seasoned veterans retire.