Application of Systems Engineering to Rapid Prototyping for Close Air Support

Twenty-first century military operations have brought forth many new challenges for the Armed Forces of the United States. One such challenge is with new operating environments, where current systems are not always effective. While it is desirable to apply a systems engineering approach to best meet critical user needs, there may be a misconception that systems engineering requires a lengthy and detailed process not nimble enough for a rapid prototyping effort. This article describes how a classic systems engineering methodology was successfully tailored to the rapid development of potential material solutions to meet a critical operational need. Key observations are drawn from this experience and formulated into heuristics for tailoring systems engineering for future rapid prototyping efforts.