Combat Systems of the Future

The combination of Systems Engineering, Cognitive Engineering, and the concept of Human-Computer Collaboration together devise an innovative path forward towards intelligent automation and ultimately reduced manning. The process for improving decision making in an environment of tremendous uncertainty is extremely challenging. Our current sensor-function approach to combat systems has resulted in layer upon layer of operator requirements and analysis, no longer tenable for the future. As budget pressures continue towards improved efficiency and the emphasis towards smaller, autonomous vehicles gains more ground, the need for "intelligence-based" systems will compound. Technology available today provides "disruptive" opportunities that are wasted within a "refinement/restructure/reorganization" methodology. It is time to re-engineer our thinking and enable the Future Combat System.