Applying systems engineering principles towards developing defence capabilities

Abstract

Due to high cost of defence systems and the advent of multi-role military platforms, defence forces can no longer replace old systems with similar newer systems, but need to effectively and continually re-evaluate their defence capability requirements to optimise the utilisation of current and future systems. The “cradle-to-grave” System Life Cycle (SLC) process underpinning the Department of Defence (DOD) Acquisition Policy is based on four consecutive phases, namely Planning, Acquisition, Deployment and Disposal. This programme-centric approach is prone to disjunction between present and future systems, and often neglects sufficient emphasis on the requirements definition activity. This paper suggests that a “cradle-to-cradle” Capability Life Cycle (CLC) process can provide junction between current systems in operation and future systems by taking an integrative, capability-centric approach toward the phasing out and renewal of systems. The SLC and CLC processes can be unified by observing that the disposal phase does not follow on the deployment phase, but in actual fact is the outcome of the Planning Phase. It is contended that the CLC process, based on sound SE principles, offers a superior approach toward capability development and sustainment, resulting in a more cost-effective (smaller and optimised) defence capability.