Modeling and Simulation Support for System of Systems Engineering Applications

Foreword

System of Systems (SoS) is a maturing field, which has been described and applied in many different ways. However, at the core of different SoS descriptions and approaches is the focus on integration and coordination of multiple complex systems to achieve levels of performance, offer capabilities, or achieve purposes that are beyond the grasp of individual constituent systems. In effect, getting a set of systems that were not initially formed as a unity to come together as a unity to support a higher level (SoS) purpose. It is exciting to see the incorporation of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) presented in this volume for support and maturation of the SoS field through engineering applications.

M&S presented in this volume assists in four critical challenges facing SoS field development. First, they enable a better systems-based understanding, appreciation, and representation in the landscape of the twenty-first century enterprise. This landscape is beset with:

• Proliferation of information intensive systems and technologies, where creating interoperability extends beyond the “hard system” technical dimensions to include “soft system” dimensions such as conceptual interoperability
• Divergence in stakeholders interests and perspectives that invoke considerations for exploring and representing multiple frames of reference and their potential incompatibility
• Expectations for immediate results without long view considerations, where consequences of decisions may be significantly separated ...