Modern day weapon systems are highly interactive, extremely complex, and very expensive. At Spectrum Sciences, Inc. we know that these systems demand an intense, conscious application of systems engineering efforts to ensure the successful development of affordable, producible, operable and supportable systems to satisfy mission requirements. Our Systems engineering approach to weapons systems RDT&E can be defined as the systematic practice of designing, developing and integrating products so that operational, service, and supportive tasks can be performed with minimum stress and maximum safety and efficiency.
The Spectrum Sciences, Inc. systems engineering (SE) approach as it applies to weapons system development consists of four major phrases:
Requirements/Concept Definition: Identification of the essential end functions the system must perform to meet the user operational and system requirements (e.g., identification of the man-in-the-loop functions as operator-initiated events vs. automated system-initiated events).
Preliminary Design: Distribution of end-system functions among inter-dependent, lower-tier elements, including the assignment of performance “budgets” and associated operating tolerances (e.g., human versus machine function allocation). Multi-level trade-off studies are conducted to evaluate all possible solutions for meeting the operation requirement and to facilitate selection of the preferred solution (e.g., flat-panel vs. helmet-mounted displays).
Detailed design: Critical task analysis of allocated functions into logical groupings and subsequent transformation into specific subsystems or components that will provide the allocated functions (e.g., threat detection, target tracking, human performance constraints, etc). Detailed design involves design synthesis and a systems integration process that provides specific answers (e.g., architecture and interfaces) in response to the needs determined by the previous activities. Alternate design approaches supported by technology trade-off studies are considered in this phrase (e.g., prioritized multi-threat tracking display, sensor fusion display technologies, etc).
Concurrent Engineering: Redesign and reassessment of systems and requirements due to the dynamic nature of requirements (new threats). Final design decisions are made and certified (e.g., systems function versus operational requirements comparisons).
Our support will enhance your ability to provide the manpower, processes, and facilities, needed to:
- Interactively convert mission needs into a set of technical requirements for implementation;
- Conduct function analysis;
- Evaluate alternatives within the context of Naval Air’s unique operating environment;
- Allocate requirement solutions to subsystems and major system components; and
- Monitor and coordinate progress across the subsystems/components to optimize the total system solution.
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