LEVERAGING MODEL-BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TO DEVELOP A REUSABLE VALIDATION, VERIFICATION, AND ACCREDITATION FRAMEWORK AND PROCESS FOR MODELING AND SIMULATION PRODUCTS

Abstract

The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Instruction 5200.46 requires the implementation of Validation, Verification and Accreditation (VV&A) to Modeling and Simulation (M&S) products and states that implementation of VV&A shall be commensurate with the level of risk, importance, and impact of M&S results. This thesis answers the primary research question: Can Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) be leveraged to develop a re-usable framework and process for supporting VV&A of M&S products? This thesis presents an MBSE based framework and methodology that can be applied to any M&S product to produce an MBSE model of the M&S product. The MagicGrid framework is used to guide the modeling processes which capture elements of the M&S product and other external entities that interact with the M&S model. The resulting MBSE model can be used for supporting VV&A responsibilities, activities, and products, such as the V&V plan. This thesis demonstrates the MBSE framework and methodology by applying it to the Cost Readiness Impact Model (CRIM), a Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) M&S product. Application of this MBSE framework and process to CRIM resulted in an MBSE model of CRIM that defines CRIM’s system architecture and associated Validation and Verification (V&V) elements. The CRIM MBSE model was evaluated to be effective in supporting VV&A elements. The author recommends this MBSE framework and methodology to anyone that must perform M&S VV&A.