Common Submarine Radio room: a case study of a system of systems approach

Abstract

Common Submarine Radio Room is the latest step by the submarine force towards implementing a modular approach using an open systems architecture and increasing the automation of communications network management. Introduced on the Virginia class submarines as a commercially furnished design, it has since transferred to government management as an acquisition category two program, replicated on the other four submarine classes and planned for the Ohio replacement submarine. The current design and development approach is done in a serial fashion, with a version completed for each class before beginning the development of the next. The increasing pace of technology due to obsolescence, new capabilities, demands to support individual program development and fielding schedules create conflicting priorities between fielding capability and maintaining effective configuration management of a version. Common Submarine Radio Room version uses a system of systems engineering and integration approach to balance the demands of each stakeholder and deliver capability. This approach will be examined as a case study to identify the benefits and consequences of design, testing, production, deployment, and sustainment.