Capability Composition and Data Interoperability to Achieve More Effective Results Than DoD System-of-Systems Strategies

Abstract

This paper investigates how layered business and technical architectures can leverage modular component design practices to establish new approaches for capability acquisition that are more effective than existing system of systems (SoS) strategies. We first examine proven methods, approaches, and patterns for crafting large-scale services, real-time capabilities, and military-specific Internet of Things (IoT). We then propose elements of a new approach that applies a coherent set of methods to develop military mission capabilities as sets of composed modules. Our approach builds on a broad range of prior work related to functional decomposition of requirements into modules of capabilities for deployment in an open environment. We also extend prior work related to using technical reference frameworks as foundations for modules that meet capability needs. We tie this prior work with emerging development practices to describe a new approach for crafting capability. Finally, we assemble these findings into a new overarching model of financial, organizational, programmatic, quality-management, and business patterns needed to deliver payloads onto fighting platforms more effectively. Implementing the recommendations in this paper will establish a DoD acquisition environment shaped to be more efficient and deliver much higher quality "with far greater innovation" in a fraction of the time.