Scenario-based systems engineering application to mine warfare

Abstract

This report builds upon the Team MIW 2014 capstone report in comparing legacy and future mine countermeasures capabilities. The Mark 18 Modification 2 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle was compared to the planned Littoral Combat Ship MCM Mission Package Increment 1 Remote Mine Hunting System as well as the legacy MCM 1 and CH-53E. The Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) utilized were Area Clearance Rate Sustained and minefield percent clearance. A tailored systems engineering approach based on a modified SE Vee model was utilized to identify stakeholder requirements, conduct analysis of functional and physical architectures, and use these resulting artifacts to modify an existing model. A design of experiments process was utilized to analyze input variables for relationships to the MOEs and compare resulting MOEs from the various configurations. A cost analysis was then performed and, with the performance data, was used to evaluate the relative value of the various configurations. Conclusions from the data are presented along with recommendations for future analysis.