scope:

The Combat System design strategy should use a systematic approach involving the:

Gathering of requirements within the context of the required Military Capability (MC);

Generation, examination and comparison of system design options;

Preparation of formal specifications and MoD documentation as a basis for acquisition;

Acquisition of Combat System equipments including new, modified, Non Development Items (NDIs) and Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) technology;

Integration of acquired equipment items into a coherent system (which itself is integrated with the platform);

Provision of interoperability with other capabilities and systems e.g. to achieve Network Enabled Capability (NEC). This involves the Combat System's integration into the wider MoD Enterprise and infrastructures;

Conduct of testing and trials as a basis for acceptance against requirements;

Support of the system whilst in-service;

Disposal of the system and its components at the end of its operational life.

Purpose

Naval Combat Systems are highly complex systems. This publication documents the design engineering strategy that should be used for systems development and procurement. It reflects good management and engineering practice and is predicated on the adoption of Systems Engineering principles.