System of Systems Integration: Key Considerations and Challenges

TLDR

System‑of‑systems integration (SoSI) is essential for enabling on‑demand interoperability of component systems across defense, aerospace, healthcare, and energy domains, but its complexity rises with legacy systems, human involvement, and the need for adaptability and resilience. The paper examines the main considerations and challenges of SoSI.

Abstract

ABSTRACT As systems are called on to participate on demand within system‐of‐systems ( SoS ), system‐of‐systems integration ( SoSI ) has become a key concern. This capability is especially important in defense and aerospace where systems are increasingly required to interoperate on demand to satisfy mission requirements. SoSI is also becoming increasingly important in healthcare and energy domains. SoSI involves interfacing and enabling the interactions of component systems to create the needed SoS capability to accomplish mission or business goals. SoSI , which is part of the overall SoS development life cycle, increases in complexity when there are legacy systems that need to be integrated, and when humans are tasked to perform in various capacities within the SoS . An added layer of complexity is introduced when the SoS has to exhibit certain quality attributes such as adaptability and resilience in the face of contingencies and disruptions in the operational environment. This paper addresses key considerations and challenges in SoSI .