REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Sept. 8, 2015) -- Army engineers are discovering ways to work smarter, not harder at the Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center, one of seven Research, Development, and Engineering Command subordinate organizations. The use of modeling can enhance the ability to analyze and truly understand system performance behaviors and identify developmental risk in complex aviation and missile systems.
Model Based Systems Engineering is a cost effective and increasingly accepted approach focused on using visual representations as the primary means for information exchange, rather than document-based information exchange.
"This formalized methodology depicts a system in model format to support requirements relationships, functional analysis, design synthesis, and verification and validation activities for any program whether it be in early concept phase all the way out to sustainment upgrade capability support," explained AMRDEC Director, James Lackey.
The Software Engineering Directorate explored MBSE and began introducing this approach to the Multi Mission Launcher program in July 2014.
The MML is an air-defense launcher being developed for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-Intercept program. It provides the U.S. Army 360 degree short range air defense capability against missiles, unmanned aerial systems, rockets, artillery, and mortars.
The MML launcher can be broken into three tiers: system, subsystems and configuration items. The launcher model uses approximately 483 unique functions and 355 unique messages to capture the behavior of the system. The messages capture data flows between configuration items and from the MML to external systems.
AMRDEC's MBSE Forum is a group dedicated to developing and maturing an MBSE capability across the center. The Center of Model Based Acquisition and Technology team, led by Amber Wise, is a key member of the forum. CoMBAT has executed consistent MBSE processes and procedures for five separate programs including MML.
Although introducing modeling in a new organizational environment can involve overcoming cultural and educational barriers, the CoMBAT team has received positive feedback on the MML program from employees, leadership and stakeholders since the approach has been adopted.
Michael Gully, MML software and electronics lead, confirmed the MBSE method has increased productivity and communication by providing a visualization of the system functionality to the user and the project office.
"The model helps explain what the system does to the user and to the project office, but also helps the development team communicate with each other in a common language," Gully said. "AMRDEC's use of MBSE for the MML development exceeds Army requirements and communicates system functionality with state of the art representations unlike anything I've ever seen on an Army program."
Using software tools, such as Rhapsody, DOORS, and MagicDraw, system engineers are able to manage the interfaces between subsystems and trace the system requirements to the design details. These functions and interfaces are then compiled into executable animations that allow the MML architecture and requirements to be visualized by the developers who are more likely to identify sources of failure before those problems are designed into the component.
"The importance of MBSE quickly emerges when one compares and contrasts it to traditional approaches," said Lackey. "In a traditional approach, the systems engineering process produces reams of paper documentation and this stove-piped, expensive, and time consuming format is prone to errors and/or incorrect assumptions. It becomes difficult when one wants to view system relationships between these domains."
The implementation of modeling led to a successful and prompt delivery at the MML program's Preliminary Design Review in July 2015. The PDR was completed successfully and stakeholders agreed to continue the development process of the program. The MML team will continue to apply the MBSE approach to the program in preparation for the Engineering Demonstration to be conducted at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, in March 2016.
MBSE captures the essence of better buying power, explained Lackey.
"If and when it makes sense from a timing and opportunity standpoint, use of MBSE will be increasingly adopted so that AMRDEC can provide the best, robust, systems-capture analysis and architecture of our aviation and weapon products for our customers and the Warfighter. We will always strive to create and deliver our modern, complex systems in the most efficient and effective manner."
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The Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.
RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
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