INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INSERTION - KEY SYSTEM ENGINEERING ELEMENT FORAFFORDABLE, MISSION FLEXIBLE SHIPS

Uncertainty dominates the thinking regarding the threat to be faced bv the surface combatant for the 21st Centurv. However, there is great c ertaintv that affordabilitv, how ever the term is defined, will be a m ajor factor in decisions regarding how manv surface combatants, amphib ious ships and support ships will be built. What combat and support sy stem mix they will take to sea will also be affordabilitv constrained. Affordable modernization and reduced life cycle costs will be major s hip selection criteria. The Vertical Launch Svstem (VLS) innovation re presents a major step in a concept that allows for changes in weapon l oad inix and weapon evolution essential to meeting new threats and exe cution of varving missions. Currently no parallel breakthrough has bee n identified for sensors or combat and C4I svstems. This paper present s the argument that system architecture and integration engineering fo r information technology insertion represent the kev to a VLS like bre akthrough for these other mission critical systems. The paper also arg ues that svstem engineering for this technology insertion also provide s major potential for more affordable ships. These benefits obtain in both initial construction costs and in system modernization costs over the life of the ship. An included benefit is the potential to off-loa d non mission critical personnel through automation of support functio ns and responsive shore based, on line support through the introductio n of relevant information technology. The argument is presented that t he Integrated Interior Communications and Control (IC)2 System project provides a concept, an architecture, and a system engineering approac h, that is a basis for initial insertion and affordable update of rapi dly changing information technology.