Systems of Systems Lifecycle Management is dedicated to advancing knowledge in the oversight of complex, interdependent systems throughout their entire lifecycle. This journal, based on peer-reviewed paper, peer-reviewed presentations and peer-reviewed journal articles, addresses the unique challenges associated with the management of multiple interconnected systems, each with its distinct development, integration, operation, and decommissioning phases. Our focus lies in ensuring that each component system can operate independently while achieving collective functionality and efficiency within the larger system of systems. Emphasizing adaptability, resilience, and sustainability, we explore strategies that harmonize individual lifecycles to enhance overall system performance and longevity.

Systems Integration and Interoperability

This area focuses on the technical and operational strategies that enable different systems to communicate, interact, and function together as a cohesive whole. It addresses compatibility issues, data sharing protocols, and standardization to ensure seamless integration. Research here includes interface design, middleware solutions, and interoperability frameworks to ensure that diverse systems can exchange information effectively, contributing to an efficient overall system of systems.

Lifecycle Management of Individual Systems

Managing each component system’s lifecycle—from conception and design to decommissioning—is essential in the broader system-of-systems context. This subfield examines lifecycle stages, emphasizing adaptable and scalable design approaches that allow systems to evolve without disrupting the overarching structure. Topics include lifecycle assessment, modularity, upgrade paths, and technology refresh planning.

System Adaptability and Flexibility

This area investigates methods to design systems that can adjust to changing requirements, environmental conditions, or technological advancements. Adaptability ensures that systems remain functional and efficient in dynamic and uncertain environments. Research topics include adaptive architectures, flexible design principles, and autonomous decision-making frameworks to enhance the adaptability of individual systems within the broader network.

Resilience Engineering

Resilience in a system of systems context involves building robustness and fault tolerance so that systems can recover quickly from disruptions or failures. This field studies failure modes, redundancy strategies, and recovery protocols to maintain system functionality under adverse conditions. Key areas include risk assessment, resilience metrics, and response planning to ensure continuity and stability across interconnected systems.

Sustainability and Lifecycle Impact

Sustainability is critical, especially as systems of systems often span industries with significant environmental impacts. This subfield explores eco-friendly lifecycle management practices, focusing on resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the use of sustainable materials. It includes lifecycle impact assessment tools, circular economy principles, and strategies for minimizing the environmental footprint of each system within the larger network.

Human-Systems Interaction and Human-Centric Design

This subfield addresses the role of human operators in managing and interacting with systems of systems. Human-centric design ensures that systems are intuitive, accessible, and provide effective feedback to users. Topics include human-machine interfaces, ergonomic design, decision support systems, and training programs to enhance user interactions and operational safety.

Data Management and Analytics

Data generated across systems of systems are vast and complex, requiring sophisticated management and analysis. This area covers data acquisition, storage, processing, and analysis techniques. Key research topics include big data analytics, predictive modeling, real-time monitoring, and data fusion to gain insights and support decision-making in real-time across interconnected systems.

Cybersecurity in Systems of Systems

Security is paramount in interconnected systems, where a vulnerability in one system can affect others. This field investigates cybersecurity measures tailored for systems of systems, such as threat detection, intrusion prevention, and secure communication protocols. Research focuses on safeguarding data integrity, confidentiality, and availability across interconnected networks, with topics like resilient network architecture, encryption, and cyber incident response planning.

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Digital Twins

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and digital twin technology allow for the virtual representation of systems for testing, monitoring, and predictive analysis. This subfield includes simulation, virtual prototyping, and the application of digital twins to model interactions and predict behavior across the lifecycle. Research includes developing MBSE frameworks, creating digital twins for complex systems, and exploring simulation environments that allow testing under varied conditions.

System Optimization and Efficiency

Ensuring optimal performance across systems of systems is essential for reducing costs, conserving resources, and achieving mission objectives. This area explores optimization algorithms, resource allocation strategies, and performance enhancement techniques. Topics include cost-benefit analysis, energy efficiency, resource planning, and scheduling optimizations to improve the overall effectiveness of systems while minimizing resource use.

Risk Management and Uncertainty Analysis

In complex systems of systems, risks and uncertainties are compounded. This field focuses on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with interconnected systems, considering both internal and external factors. Research areas include probabilistic risk assessment, scenario analysis, and contingency planning to anticipate and manage potential failures and uncertainties throughout the lifecycle.

Collaborative Operations and Distributed Control

With systems of systems, decentralized control is often necessary to maintain flexibility and autonomy within each subsystem. This area explores collaborative and distributed control mechanisms, enabling systems to operate independently while coordinating with others. Key topics include distributed decision-making, collaborative algorithms, and real-time communication protocols that support coordinated operations among autonomous systems.

These subfields together create a comprehensive foundation for research and practice in Systems of Systems Lifecycle Management, emphasizing adaptability, resilience, and sustainable functionality.

ISSN: 2944-8131