The Advanced Hawkeye as a System of Systems?

There are differences between a traditional system of components, which requires its parts to be fully defined and unalterable throughout its lifecycle, and a system of systems (SoS), which typically displays emergent characteristics over time and has the potential to evolve over its lifetime. This paper will focus on identifying the differences, in both structure and behavior, between a system of components and a SoS. This will be demonstrated by relating the Advanced Hawkeye, which is currently being developed by Northrop Grumman, to the five differentiating characteristics of autonomy, belonging, connectivity, diversity and emergence, as defined by Boardman and Sauser in their paper entitled, "system of systems - the meaning of of." This paper will not classify the Advanced Hawkeye as being a system or a SoS, but will instead use these five characteristics to identify the advanced Hawkeye as existing someplace between the two extremes, as a complex system. The Advanced Hawkeye has been designed based on the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 configuration, and features upgrades to radar, communications, navigation and other aircraft systems, which will improve its supportability and readiness. The Advanced Hawkeye is a complex system, with multiple capabilities, making it a prime example to use for this project. Due to its complexity, and the classified nature of the aircraft, this paper will focus on a broad overview of the aircraft and its relationship to the five aforementioned differentiating characteristics. In addition, insight into the management issues that systems engineers face when dealing with a complex system, rather than a traditional system of components, will be addressed.