Concept Design Using Model Based Systems Engineering

The value of analytical modeling when performing concept design cannot be overstated. Using a concurrent engineering process and interconnected analytical tools to estimate system size, mass, power, performance, resilience, and cost, engineers can rapidly develop concepts to perform feasibility assessments and configuration trade studies. Perhaps less clear is of the value of descriptive modeling offered by Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practice applied to concept design. Currently there are precious few examples of acquisition programs implementing MBSE across all life cycle phases, and fewer examples of programs that use it during concept development. Concept developers use analytical tools to analyze candidate systems during this phase, but they also need to deal with other aspects of system design such as mission objectives, system requirements, concept of operations, system architecture, and function allocation. These attributes may all be captured and interconnected in a descriptive system model, which is at the very core of MBSE practice. It is shown here how system developers can create and use such a descriptive system model in conjunction with their analytical concurrent engineering tools to rapidly develop concept designs.