DEVELOPMENT OF A METHODOLOGY TO OPTIMALLY SELECT SUBSYSTEMS FOR SUBSEQUENT INTEGRATION INTO HELICOPTER SYSTEMS

摘要

A systems engineering methodology and model are presented for selecting subsystems and interfaces that meet technical and budgetary requirements, with specific emphasis on helicopter development. The methodology expresses the problem of subsystem selection in terms of a graph theoretic model, conditioned for optimization based on enterprise goals. The model is visually represented as a network flow where nodes represent subsystems, and arcs represent subsystem interfaces. The interface parameters consist not of physical and functional relationships, but instead represent cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk. Those key technical and budgetary attributes are drawn into the model as optimization objectives. Mathematical formulation describes the complex system objectives, constraints, variables, and dependencies in terms of a multi-objective optimization model where parameters important to the product integration scheme are simultaneously quantified as part of the system model. The solution set is a Pareto optimal list of alternative subsystems ranked in order of preference, allowing the developer a selection of subsystem combinations to meet technical performance requirements and satisfy budgetary goals.