A Network-Based Portfolio Optimization Approach for Military System of Systems Architecting

System of systems (SoS) architecting is a process to bring systems together as a network structure for specific goals with unique capabilities and the cumulative capabilities achieved from their interoperability. How the capability is delivered across the network is crucial for capability-based planning mission. To meet diverse capability needs by architecting different types of systems into a network, we formulate and analyze an SoS architecting problem with network theory as a multi-objective optimization model. More specifically, we construct a three-step capability delivery model from a local and globe perspective to describe the positive and negative consequences caused by system interactions. A three-level response model with a feasibility concept is proposed as the conversion of the capability value to meet different scale combat needs and balance the deployment of new and old weapons. And then, certain intelligent optimization algorithms incorporated with the proposed model is designed to approximate Pareto fronts of three response levels, respectively. Results from a set of numerical studies demonstrate that an efficient structure with fewer nodes performs better than a full set structure, and the deployment of a system should be a comprehensive consideration of its overall structural influence rather than single system performance. In addition, four SoS-level attributes are also defined and calculated as supplements to make the value of solution architecture more comprehensive.