An implementer's view of the evolutionary systems engineering for autonomous unmanned systems

This paper presents the application of an Evolutionary Systems Engineering Model for Unmanned systems. It is a novel approach for research, development, test, and evaluation of unmanned systems. The Evolutionary Systems Engineering Model for Unmanned System is based on the System of Systems (SoS) Systems Engineering (SE) Wave Model [2] adopted by the DoD as best practices for Systems of Systems System Engineering [3], [5]. The SoS Wave Model was adopted by SPAWAR Systems Center (SSC) Pacific's Unmanned Systems Group to enable the agile and rapid evolution of autonomous unmanned systems. It provides the backplane for the Unmanned Systems Integration, Test, and Experimentation (UxSITE) capability at SSC Pacific. It establishes a systematic process for technology insertion and overarching strategies for managing risk and ensuring key capability objectives are met as the system evolves. Implemented as a continuous improvement process, the Evolutionary System Engineering approach provides flexibility and adaptability to address the inevitable changes in both the technical landscape and the larger operational environment. This paper provides a description of the Evolutionary Systems Engineering Model, its drivers, and how implementation of the SoS Wave Model addresses them.