Integration is a significant part of the System, System of Systems (SoS), and Family of Systems (FoS) lifecycle. While each of these categories have unique and special considerations, we cannot skip the fundamental functions of systems engineering of requirements, architecture, design, development, integration, test and deployment.
Another consideration is the digital aspects of these SoS and FoS. It is the digital integration of these current and future “platforms” that will make them mission capable. Robust designs which can be exercised by simulations which explore the SoS and FoS behavior across the spectrum of individual system combinations are necessary to validate the probability of mission success. This is the business of digital threads and digital twins.
As the article points out communication is essential. This communication has to be understood through consistency and repeatability. Much to think about from systems’ perspective. Systems thinking skills applied to learned engineering processes solve this version of the “Manhattan Project” much like they solved the first version. Integration is the ‘Manhattan Project’ Facing Air Force Leaders | Air & Space Forces Magazine: Mastering the Joint integration of organizations and force structure is the “Manhattan Project” USAF must accomplish to win future wars.