Survivability validation protocol issues for a system-of-systems

: This paper illuminates the various issues confronting a protocol developer as he attempts to construct a system-of-systems (SOS) survivability validation protocol. These issues are considered in the context of a Battle Management Command, Control, and Communications (BMC3) network in the form of a Hypothetical System Architecture consisting of air, sea, ground, and space platforms. The purpose of the protocol of concern is to validate the nuclear survivability of the BMC3 SOS. To achieve this validation, the combined susceptibilities of the SOS platforms and communications links must be considered. A basic SOS simulation concept is described, which assumes individual platform survivability. The nuclear environments to be considered in the simulation are outlined with a discussion of the relationship to basic system susceptibility. Various validation concepts for the SOS protocol are summarized in relation to the life cycle phase during which they would be utilized. Computer simulation issues are discussed, including the environments to be modeled, validation of the codes, documentation, and configuration control. Concluding remarks center on the most likely way of simulating nuclear effects and on treating simulation tools like mission critical items. Survivability validation, System-of-systems, Simulation, Nuclear environments.