Exploring critical system of systems architecture issues for the warfighter

The increased complexity of new missions require the migration from developing a system that meets all the required capabilities into the development of a system of systems (SoS) that is composed of multiple independent systems that work together to achieve the stated goals. This trend is common to DoD, financial, healthcare, state and local agencies. The problems faced here are different in complexity from the system development challenges because the SoS leadership usually has little control or authority on how the individual system is developed and can only attempt to influence the interfaces to ensure interoperability. The larger issue of melding the systems into the enterprise also presents some challenges due to emergent behavior, large number of interfaces and operational/managerial components independence. This research will examine these and other factors to evaluate the best way forward for the warfighter.