Safe Interoperability Issues in the System of Systems Engineering and Operational Environment

摘要

The integration and interoperation of multiple, new and legacy complex systems in a system of systems(SoS) tactical environment introduces new challenges that were not thought of when the systems weredesigned in isolation. The systems in this new tactical environment may have different data types, differentlanguages, different data modeling, different operating systems, etc. These differences could create anenvironment of confusion, misinformation and certainly un-interoperability, hence hinder the safeinteroperation of the metasystem and potentially increase the risk for mishaps. Safe interoperabilitycapability assures that the mission objectives are achieved not only effectively but also safely.This paper defines the term safe interoperability for the first time, and explores the issues critical to the safeoperation of a SoS. In addition, this paper will attempt to address the implications of these findings for thesystem safety engineering discipline.